MANILA - President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. has appointed Gregorio Catapang Jr. as director-general of the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor), papers from Malacañang showed on Friday.

A transmittal document from the Palace showed Catapang was appointed on March 23, Thursday. This was only made public on Friday by the Department of Justice (DOJ).

• Remulla says Catapang will soon become permanent BuCor chief

Catapang, a former Armed Forces of the Philippines chief, previously served as BuCor officer-in-charge. He replaced Gerald Bantag, who was suspended in October last year after 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," he said in a statement.

• Bantag awaits Marcos verdict on BuCor stint: 'Di pa ako dismissed'

— With reports from Job Manahan and Johnson Manabat, ABS-CBN News

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