Bantag blames PNP for late coordination to protect ‘middleman’

Suspended Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) director general Gerald Bantag on Tuesday blamed the Philippine National Police (PNP) for the latter’s late coordination to protect the alleged first middleman in the plot to kill broadcaster Percy Lapid.

“Ang sinasabi ni chief PNP [Police General Rodolfo Azurin Jr.], dapat sinecure ‘yan kasi mayroon namang coordination,” Bantag said in Marisol Abduhraman’s report on “24 Oras.”

(What chief PNP Police General Rodolfo Azurin Jr. is saying, that he must be secured because there is coordination.)

“Walang coordination, inuulit ko. Ako ngayon ang tinuturong may kasalanan, ako ang nadidiin ngayon sa failure nila to coordinate,” he added.

(I repeat, there was no coordination. I am now being blamed, I am the one being accused for their failure to coordinate.)

Bantag said that some documents would prove that PNP only communicated with BuCor on October 19 and 20 about the alleged middleman identified as Cristito ‘Jun’ Villamor.

To recall, Villamor died inside the New Bilibid Prison due to a heart hemorrhage on October 18.

Initial findings showed no signs of physical external injuries on the body of Villamor, the BuCor said last week.

Forensic pathologist Dr. Raquel Fortun is set to perform a second and independent autopsy on the body of Villamor.

“Malay ba natin na namatay ‘yung tao, ‘yung Villamor ang pangalan, [October] 18. Nalaman ko lang ‘yang person of interest na ‘yan ng PNP na Villamor thru Sec. Boying Remulla nang tumawag siya sa akin,” Bantag said.

(How will we know that the person, whose name is Villamor, died on October 18. I just found out that person of interest of the PNP, Villamor thru Sec. Boying Remulla when he called me.)

“Na-late na sila ng coordination tapos kasalanan ba namin ‘yun? Sila ang may kasalanan, hindi kami,” he added.

(They coordinated it late, so is that our fault? It is their fault, not ours.)

According to Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. wanted Bantag suspended to give way to a “fair and impartial investigation.”

But Bantag linked his suspension to individuals who he said have issues against him.

He then appealed to the authorities, “’Wag naman kasing haphazard, kasi hindi naman ako pulis. Pero galing naman ako sa police academy. Alam naman natin ‘yung procedure, ‘wag naman haphazard pagpe-present siguro nila.”

(Don’t be so haphazard, I’m not a policeman. But I’m from the police academy. We know the procedure, don’t be haphazard when they would present.)

PNP earlier said that around 160 individuals, including Bantag, are considered persons of interest in the killing.

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Lapid was shot dead while on his way home in Las Piñas City on October 3.—Mel Matthew Doctor/LDF, GMA News

Bantag blames PNP for late coordination to protect ‘middleman’
Source: Filipino Viral News PH