DOJ indicts Bantag, Zulueta over NBP stabbing incident

The Department of Justice (DOJ) has indicted former Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) chief Gerald Bantag and ex-BuCor deputy officer Ricardo Zulueta in relation to the alleged stabbing incident of two gang commanders at the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) in February last year.

In a statement on Tuesday, the DOJ said it found probable cause to indict Bantag for two counts of physical and psychological torture and two counts of serious physical injuries.

Zueleta, meanwhile, will be charged as an accessory to the alleged crimes.

The case stemmed from the allegations of victims Ronald Usman and Jonathan Cañeta who were assaulted by a supposed intoxicated Bantag inside the national penitentiary on February 1, 2022.

Usman accused Bantag of stabbing him in the left thigh, while Cañeta was supposedly stabbed by the former Bucor Chief in the right hand, causing his middle finger to be paralyzed during a meeting in his office.

The DOJ said Usman and Cañeta's claims were backed by PDLs who allegedly witnessed the stabbing. 

The cases will be filed before the Muntinlupa City Regional Trial Court.

The DOJ added that charges for grave misconduct were also recommended to be referred by state prosecutors to the DOJ’s Technical Division for proper action.

GMA News Online has reached out to the camps of Bantag and Zulueta, but they have yet to comment as of posting time. 

Bantag and Zulueta are also facing murder charges for the killing of broadcaster Percy Lapid and alleged middleman Jun Villamor. A Muntinlupa Court has already issued warrants of arrest for both former Bucor officials.  —Sundy Locus/ VAL, GMA Integrated News