Bucor chief says missing Bilibid inmate may still be alive

Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) Director General Gregorio Catapang Jr. on Thursday said there is a possibility Michael Angelo Cataroja, the missing person deprived of liberty (PDL) at the National Bibilid Prison (NBP), is still alive.

Catapang made the remarks during the joint hearing of the House committees on public order and safety, according to Lei Alviz’s report on “24 Oras."

“I am really exhausting all remedies, 24 hours hinahanap namin… There is a development, because right now there is a possibility that PDL Cataroja is still alive. Even his mother is telling us she wants her son to surrender to (Senator) Raffy Tulfo,” Catapang told lawmakers.

(I am really exhausting all remedies. We’re looking for him 24 hours a day. There is a development because right now there is a possibility that PDL Cataroja is still alive. Even his mother is telling us she wants her son to surrender to Raffy Tulfo.)

Bucor superintendent Angie Bautista, who was recently relieved, first announced the detainee was missing last month.

Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla has said that Cataroja’s remains were found decapitated at the NBP, but later said that he was a victim of “fake news.”

Other alleged illegal activities inside the NBP were raised during the committee hearing including two videos showing detainees Rey Carlo Miranda and Jomar Macalansag — leaders of the Commando Group — reportedly handling illicit drugs.

One footage showed an inmate repacking suspected shabu while the other showed a PDL also holding suspected shabu concealed in a snack packaging.

Miranda and Macalansag denied they were the inmates in the videos, presenting their tattoos on their arms as pieces of evidence. The PDLs in both footage have no tattoos.

“A wrongful accusation must be discussed as well, para balanse. In other words hindi sila ang nasa video,” Representative Dan Fernandez said.

(A wrongful accusation must be discussed as well, for balance. In other words, they are not the PDLs in the video.)

Meanwhile, Catapang attributed the recent incidents inside the national penitentiary on his decision to transfer the alleged drug lords inside the NBP to other detention facilities.

“They want to put in place the new leadership that they want. Nagtataka nga po ako. Kasi nine months ako nag-takeover, I was able to hold on to it, then when I started transferring them, d’yan na po nagsimula ang gulo-gulo dyan sa loob,” he said.

(They want to put in place the new leadership that they want. I took over nine months ago and I was able to hold on to it, then when I began transferring them, the incidents started.)

Catapang also asked for support for his reform programs, adding he inherited the existing problems inside the NBP from his predecessors.

“I serve at the pleasure of the people and the President, and the Secretary. I am willing if told to resign from my position. But right now I will not resign, because I have a duty, a task to do. Please give me more time, because sinalo ko lahat ng problemang ito,” he said.—Sundy Locus/LDF, GMA Integrated News