Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra. (File photo)
MANILA -- Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra on Wednesday ordered newly-appointed Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) Director General Gerald Bantag to eradicate irregularities at the New Bilibid Prison (NBP).
"I told him to focus on three major objectives, in the order of urgency: (1) clean up the GCTA (Good Conduct Time Allowance) mess; (2) full computerization; and (3) stop the illegal drug trade inside," Guevarra told reporters shortly after his meeting with Bantag.
Guevarra, meanwhile, said he left it to Bantag to decide when and before whom he want to take his oath assuming the post.
DOJ spokesperson, Undersecretary Markk Perete said the courtesy call was "an initial meeting between the secretary and incoming DG Bantag pending completion of all documentary requirements necessary to make effective his designation to his post".
Bantag, former warden of the Parañaque and Manila City jails, replaced Nicanor Faeldon who was dismissed by the President for disobeying his order to stop the release of almost 2,000 heinous crimes convicts under the controversial Good Conduct Time Allowance (GCTA) law.
Prior to his appointment, Bantag served as head of Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) in Mimaropa (Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, and Palawan). (PNA)
