New murder complaint filed vs. Bantag, others over PDL's death

The National Bureau of Investigation has filed a complaint for murder against former Bureau of Corrections Director General Gerald Bantag and several others over the alleged killing of an inmate at New Bilibid Prison.

The Department of Justice said the NBI filed the complaint against Bantag over the killing of Hegel Lapinig Samson, a person deprived of liberty who allegedly exposed corruption inside the NBP.

Others included in the complaint included former Deputy Security Officer Ricardo Zulueta, and General Victor Pascua. Also named respondents were  PDLs Rolando Villaver, Mark Angelo Lampera, Charlie Dacuyan, and Wendell Sualog.

“Ito nga ‘yung may lumalabas sa social media, meron siyang releases. His name was Leon Bilibid in the social media page," Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said in a media briefing.

The PDL allegedly narrated "the mysterious deaths or the mysterious happenings inside Bilibid."

“Kaya may nagalit sa kanya at ito nga ang nangyari,” he added.

The DOJ said the PDLs confessed to their participation by placing a bag over Samson’s head until he died.

Villaver in his sworn statement claimed that Bantag had ordered him to eliminate anyone associated with the name “Leon Bilibid” to “neutralize the criticism on social media.”

The DOJ said that Zulueta then allegedly informed Villaver through a message that the individual behind “Leon Bilibid” was under his supervision as mayor of a dorm.

Meanwhile, Pascua supposedly reminded Villaver to carry out the task discreetly and to leave no trace.

GMA News Online has sought comment from the camps of Bantag and Zulueta but has yet to receive a response as of posting time.

Bantag and Zulueta have also been charged for the alleged killing of broadcaster Percy Lapid and alleged middleman Jun Villamor in October 2022. Both are still at large.

When asked why the search for Bantag is taking a long time, Remulla reminded that Bantag was a member of the 1996 class of the Philippine National Police Academy.

“He has a network of friends and associates who are in the police force and who may have sentimental ties to him or other professional ties to him,” Remulla said.

“So the job of the DOJ is a tough job. It’s something that we roll with the punches but we are not backing down from anything,” he added.

He said it Bantag was “most probably” receiving information from his supposed network.

“It’s logical. It’s logical na this happens,” Bantag said.

However, the Justice secretary later added that they are not condemning anyone.

“It’s just the way that our society works and we know that these are the ties that bind people. but we are confident that we are still on the right track regarding the capture of DG Bantag," Bantag said.

"And he will be captured sooner than later,” he added. —NB, GMA Integrated News