By Amado Inigo
Former Armed Forces of the Philippines chief Gregorio Catapang (Photo courtesy of ABS-CBN News)
MANILA — President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. has appointed Gregorio Catapang Jr. as director-general of the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor), Malacañang said Friday.
Catapang was appointed a day earlier Thursday according to the transmittal document from the Palace but it was only made public on Friday by the Department of Justice (DOJ).
Department of Justice Secretary Boying Remulla, meanwhile, said Catapang will soon become a permanent BuCor chief.
A former Armed Forces of the Philippines chief, Catapang previously served as BuCor officer-in-charge upon the suspension of .embattled former BuCor chief Gerald Bantag. The latter was suspended in October last year following the death of inmate Jun Villamor inside the New Bilibid Prison.
Villamor is an alleged middleman in the killing of radio broadcaster Percival “Percy Lapid” Mabasa in Las Piñas on October 3.
The justice department fully supports the appointment of Catapang, DOJ spokesman Mico Clavano said.
“Together, we will pursue the planned projects and programs for the betterment of the bureau and the welfare of our persons deprived of liberty,” the DOJ said ina a statement.
(Amado Inigo/MTVN)
