Go backs new prison, BuCor chief

Sen. Go reiterated to Bantag President Rodrigo Duterte’s directives to reform the correctional facilities immediately. #BongGo #prisonforheinouscriminals

Sen. Bong Go (right) with BuCor Director General Gerald Bantag. (SBG)

Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go on Wednesday expressed his support for a bill creating a separate facility for prisoners of heinous crimes and for new Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) Director General Gerald Bantag.

“That convicts of these (heinous) crimes are housed in a separate facility is pursuant to the State’s mandate to ensure and maintain the security of the public in general,” said Go of Senate Bill (SB) No. 1055, or an An Act Establishing a Separate Facility for Prisoners Convicted of Heinous Crimes.

Under the said bill, the facility will be built in remote locations in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao to ensure that unwarranted outside contact will be prevented. The secretary of the Department of Justice (DoJ) is tasked to determine the said locations.

Meanwhile, Go affirmed his support to Bantag as the new BuCor chief and reiterated to him President Rodrigo Duterte’s directives to reform the correctional facilities immediately.

“Full support kami sa BuCor. Kung ano ang kailangan nilang pasilidad, kung ano ang pwedeng gawin sa loob ng Muntinlupa at iba pang penal colonies sa bansa, full support kami,” said Go.

Bantag warned BuCor officials to stay away from corruption or suffer harsh consequences.

“Kinausap ko ang mga opisyal noong unang araw, nag-observe ako. Ang sabi ko sa kanila, ang magdala sa akin ng pera, ang kurakot, kakatayin ko,” Bantag said.