Asian Wisconzine Section/Heidi M. Pascual
Killing of Journalist Collateral Damage in Response to Duterte’s Drug War? (Part 4)
Background (Part 3):
On November 11, General Gerald Bantag went online at YouTube’s channel of Rev. Pastor Apollo Quiboloy to clear his name and refute the charges being hurled at him (as mastermind in the killing of Percy Lapid) by the Department of Justice led by Secretary Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla, his boss. Bantag strongly accused Remulla of being a drug lords’ protector, a narco-politician, who recently released two drug lords (whom he named) and placed them under Witness Protection Program. He likewise revealed that German Luna Agojo, the drug lord who ordered the killing of Judge Voltaire Rosales (the judge who convicted Agojo and sentenced him to life imprisonment) was likewise recently placed under Witness Protection Program and whose papers for his release were prepared by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI). The question is: Why would drug lords convicted of high crimes merit to be released under the Witness Protection Program? More importantly: Where is Agojo? Was it him who arranged to kill Lapid in order to take revenge against Bantag, the enemy of drug lords in jail? At whose orders and why?
Last October, Remulla’s eldest son, Juanito Jose, was arrested by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) for importing cannabis (marijuana) amounting to more than a million pesos. PDEA’s head was sacked a few days after and replaced by a new appointee (of the new administration). Bantag posed the question on the possible existence of a “middleman” and a “mastermind” as well.
Bantag called for the resignation of Remulla, saying that Remulla has lost his credibility and moral ascendancy to his position as Justice Secretary. He said Remulla wanted a great media exposure in preparation for his senate ambition a few years from now…at his expense.
DOJ Secretary Remulla has openly accused Bantag and his deputy as the suspected masterminds in Percy Lapid’s and Villamor’s killing, and asked Pres. Bongbong Marcos to fire Bantag as Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) head. Meanwhile, BuCor OIC Gen. Catapang continues to dig (and “plant” according to some bloggers) more “evidences” to charge Bantag for various offenses at the Ombudsman, with the goal of putting Bantag in jail as a government official and permanently remove Bantag as BuCor’s director-general.
On December 5th, everyone was surprised when General Gerald Bantag and his team of lawyers showed up at the Department of Justice in Manila, not to file their counter affidavit in response to the original subpoena re the double murder case of Lapid and Villamor, but to file a motion for DOJ to inhibit itself from conducting preliminary investigation on the ground that the Secretary of Justice himself is not impartial and acts as if he is the accuser, the investigator, and the judge rolled into one. Bantag’s lawyer wants the Ombudsman to handle Bantag’s case, considering that Bantag is a high-ranking government official, and cited a previous Supreme Court decision relevant to this case. The investigative party (Prosecution Panel) has seven days to answer Bantag’s motion for inhibition. Unfortunately, the latest news is that DOJ Secretary Remulla will not agree to inhibit his department from prosecuting Bantag. DOJ likewise claims they have an agreement with the Ombudsman that criminal cases will be handled by DOJ, while the Ombudsman will focus on graft and corruption cases.
Meanwhile, on December 9, Baguio City was teeming with people from many parts of the country and the world, thousands of whom came from various provinces of the Cordillera Region, for a prayer-rally on behalf of General Bantag. The colorful parade was led by Gen. Bantag himself and many of his supporters on horseback. There were traditional dances performed by tribal participants complete with their native costumes, as well as speeches of many leaders and supporters present. The organizers, especially those belonging to ILABAN (Igorot Lawyers for Bantag) announced that the event was voluntarily organized by them without Bantag’s active involvement except his presence on the day of the rally. They strongly expressed their belief that this event is a call for Justice, not only for Gen. Bantag, but also for others facing similar unjust treatment by the justice system.
It is interesting to note that it is the social media that has been very active covering Bantag’s case, with a number of bloggers even doing research work to uncover hidden facts whether or not possibly ignored by DOJ’s NBI and the National Police. The mainstream media is generally silent on the matter or touches just the surface of this case, which to me, is highly incredible in these modern times in a democracy.
A friend of mine told me that money matters anywhere. Money can silence accusers or even surrendered suspects. Could money be the reason why Percy Lapid’s family seems to ignore other possible suspects (like anyone in the government attacked fiercely by Percy in his program)? Indeed, that’s why I salute Gen. Bantag for refusing to accept the hundred-million pesos of welcome gift by drug lords in prison when he was appointed Bureau of Corrections chief by former President Rodrigo Duterte.
I am intrigued by the revelation of J. Escorial, Percy Lapid’s assassin, that the main reason he and his “friends” in prison agreed to accept the “job” was to gain freedom as “promised” his imprisoned friends. Freedom? As in release from prison? German Luna Agojo, the drug lord who ordered the killing of Judge Voltaire Rosales (who sentenced him to life) was freed (despite the Supreme Court decision affirming his sentence in 2009) via the Witness Protection Program of the DOJ. Who then has the authority to release a convict and give him complete freedom?
Your guess is as good as mine.
I will continue to follow Gen. Bantag’s journey (as he faces this miserable trial of his life and career). I hope and pray that the Lord above will help him find justice and clear his name in the end. Unfortunately, at present, the new administration of Pres. Bongbong Marcos has lost a good man, a fighter against illegal drugs and criminality that have ruled the Philippines’ National Penitentiary for a long time since drug lords took over the place and were left unharmed due to their money and political influence. With Bantag (and Duterte) out, freedom inside the Bilibid prison surely makes its residents shout with joy.