Suspended Bureau of Correction (BuCor) Chief Gerald Bantag dared Department of Justice (DOJ) Secretary Jesus Crispin ‘Boying’ Remulla to step down from his position over lack of credibility.
Bantag faced the media on Friday, Nov. 11, four days after authorities filed murder raps against him for the death of radio broadcaster Percival “Percy Lapid” Mabasa and alleged middleman Jun Villamor.
Authorities named Bantag as the “mastermind” behind the two killings.
“Ayan ang sinasabi ng taong bayan, step down Mr. Secretary dahil wala na kayong credibility. Alam ng tao ang ginagawa n’yo. Kino-condition n’yo ang isip ng tao para ituro ako, ako, ako. Gawain ba ‘yan ng Secretary of Justice?” he lamented in an exclusive interview with SMNI.
Bantag claimed that Remulla is using Lapid’s slay case to cover the controversy of his eldest son who was arrested over the importation of Php 1.3 million worth of kush or high-grade marijuana.
“As Secretary of Justice, kapag involve ‘yung anak mo, dapat step down ka na eh. Eh hindi eh,” Bantag said.
On Thursday, Remulla called out Bantag to address the murder complaints legally by filing a counter-affidavit instead of responding through media.
“Alagad sila ng batas tapos ganyan sila magsalita 'di ba? Walang drama-drama. Face it like a man. Kung 'di ka lalaki, 'di... If you cannot face it, then what are you? Face it. Ang dami-daming drama eh,” the Justice Chief earlier stressed.
Other allegations against Remulla
Bantag also said that Remulla only wanted to boost his image for the 2025 midterm polls which were why the latter accepted the DOJ position.
He claimed that Remulla sold a property to an operator of Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO).
“Sabi ng taong bayan din, sufficient na raw ang pera mo no'ng binenta mo 'yong Island Cove mo na ginagamit ngayon ng POGO operator na mga Chinese. So, sabi ng taong bayan, maraming pera 'yan, kailangan lang niya ng more exposure para sa 2025,” Bantag said.
“Hindi mo na kailangan ng pera. Gusto mo lang tumaas ang pangalan mo,” he added.
Bantag also accused Remulla of ordering the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to release two "drug lords" inmates under a witness protection program (WPP).
One of them is German Agojo who he said was “connected” with Lapid’s gunman Joel Escorial and the alleged middleman Jun Villamor.
"Attention Lapid family, 'yong pumatay kay Percy Lapid ay tauhan nitong Agojo na pinakuha ni Sec. Boying sa NBI. Ano papel niya sa buhay? Tauhan daw niya 'yong pumatay na si Escorial at si Villamor na kaibigan niya," he said.
“Wala kang kwentang Secretary, mag-step down ka na. Huwag mong sirain ang magandang pangalan ng Department of Justice at NBI,” Bantag reiterated in his closing remarks.
