Itinalaga ni Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte si dating Manila at Parañaque City Jail Warden Gerald Bantag bilang bagong Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) director general.
Si Bantag ang papalita kay dating BuCor chief Nicanor Faeldon kasunod ng kontrobersya sa pagpapatupad ng Good Conduct Time Allowance (GCTA) Law.
Sinabi ni Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo, napili ni Pangulong Duterte si Bantag dahil sa kanya umanong professional competence at katapatan.
Ayon kay Sec. Panelo, kumpiyansa silang ipagpapatuloy ni Bantag ang kampanya ng Duterte administration laban sa korupsyon sa kanyang pamumuno sa BuCor.
Si Bantag ay nahaharap sa 10 counts ng murder kasunod ng nangyaring pagpapasabog sa Parañaque City Jail noong 2016 kung saan nasawi ang 10 inmates kasama ang dalawang Chinese nationals na may illegal drugs case.
Maliban kay Bantag, pinaaresto rin ng korte ang dalawa pang jail officers dahil sa nasabing pagpapasabog ng granada.
“The Palace welcomes the appointment of Mr. Gerald Quitaleg Bantag as the new Director-General of the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor). Mr. Bantag was appointed by the President as the new DG of the BuCor based on his professional competence and honesty. The Palace is behind the President’s decision and is confident that DG Bantag will continue the Administration’s campaign against corruption as he spearheads reform initiatives in the Bureau,” ani Sec. Panelo.
