The embattled Bureau of Corrections chief Gerald Bantag is daring his accusers to prove the allegations against him — particularly the allegation that he masterminded the slay of radio broadcaster Percival Mabasa or Percy Lapid.

The suspended BuCor chief — in a television interview on Wednesday — stressed that all the allegations against him were just fabricated and should be proven and challenged the faultfinders to provide evidence that proves him otherwise.

Aside from the slaying of Lapid, Bantag was also linked to the death of Cristito Villamor Palana, who was tagged by
self-confessed gunman Joel Escoiral as the one who allegedly acted as the middleman in the plot to kill Lapid.

To recall, the National Bureau of Investigation and the Philippine National Police charged the suspended BuCor chief with double murder along with former BuCor Senior Superintendent Ricardo Zulueta.

Aside from the two BuCor officials, the NBI and PNP also charged several persons deprived of liberty linked to the deaths of Lapid and Villamor.

Lapid was shot dead in Las Piñas City on 3 October while Villamor died at the New Bilibid Prison.

Initially, the NBI autopsy showed that Villamor died of natural causes, but a second autopsy by forensic pathologist Dr. Raquel Fortun showed the remains of Villamor to have a "history of asphyxia by plastic bag suffocation."

Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin "Boying" Remulla earlier dared Bantag and Zulueta to face the murder complaints filed against them "like a man" and blasted Bantag's media appearances as he urged him to file his rebuttal affidavit in accordance with the law and confront the charges head-on.

"They should answer through counter affidavits and not through media. They should file their counter affidavits as it is the process in our law, right? They should respect the law since they are agents of the law than talk like that. No drama. Face it like a man, right? If you're not a man if you're not going to face it, then what are you?" Remulla said.