A video on Facebook (FB) is erroneously claiming that suspended Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) chief Gerald Bantag has been reinstated. This is not true.
On Jan. 21, an FB page published a video carrying the following false headline: “BANTAG BALIK BUCOR NA!!! REMULLA AT CATAPANG BAKIT MASYADONG KABADO KAY BANTAG (Bantag returns to BuCor!!! Why are Remulla and Catapang so nervous about Bantag)???”
Contrary to its erroneous title, the video showed instead a screenshot taken from a UNTV News report on the extension of Bantag’s suspension order while the commentator talked about issues possibly preventing Bantag’s return.
Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla issued a Jan. 17 order extending the suspension order of Bantag by 90 days to prevent possible “undue influence or pressure” on witnesses testifying against the suspended chief.
During the Jan. 23 ceremony releasing 340 persons deprived of liberty, Remulla also said BuCor acting director Gregorio Catapang Jr. will soon be permanently appointed as the prisons bureau chief.
VERA Files Fact Check has debunked similar spurious claims of Bantag’s reinstatement as BuCor chief in the past couple of months. (Read Gerald Bantag NOT back as BuCor chief and Bantag still NOT back as BuCor chief)
The video with the incorrect headline emerged a day after six correction officers filed torture complaints against Bantag before the Department of Justice. He remains suspended as the probe over the killing of journalist Percival Mabasa continues.
FB page Geryen TV Official (created on Jan. 20, 2021) published the video, garnering more than 6,600 reactions, 960 comments, 620 shares and 135,000 views.
(Editor’s Note: VERA Files has partnered with Facebook to fight the spread of disinformation. Find out more about this partnership and our methodology.)
