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The Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) said on Tuesday afternoon, Oct. 18, it has begun investigating the allegation that the order to kill hard-hitting radio commentator Percival Mabasa came from within the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) in Muntinlupa City.
BuCor Deputy Director General Gabriel P. Chaclag said a probe was immediately started after learning that Sen. Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. has filed a resolution seeking a Senate investigation.
Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin C. Remulla on Tuesday morning, Oct. 18, also ordered the BuCor to look into the allegation of the self-confessed killer of Mabasa, also known as “Percy Lapid.”
Joel Estorial confessed to having shot Mabasa twice and claimed that the order to kill the hard-hitting broadcaster came from within the NBP.
“We, in BuCor will not tolerate this and we are open to any inquiry as we are serious in our job and would always endeavor to improve our systems if indeed there had been lapses,” Chaclag said.
Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benhur Abalos on Tuesday presented Estorial to the media and the public.
Estorial said he decided to surrender due to concerns over his safety after the release of his photo taken from the closed circuit television (CCTV) footage of the crime.
“Once I was informed of the statement of the confessed gunman on the Percy Lapid case, we asked the NBP Superintendent to investigate ASAP (as soon as possible) this alleged connection of the gunman with an unidentified inmate and submit report within today so we could have a forthright reply to all your queries,” Chaclag told reporters.
“Meanwhile, rest assured that BuCor is one with you in our collective quest for truth,” he assured.
Chaclag stressed that the NBP’s policies are “all aimed at preventing convicted criminals in further being able to inflict harm on our free society.”
“It is wrong in all sense that a prisoner can still be able to communicate with his cohorts to perform criminal acts outside,” he added.
TAGS: #DOJ #REMULLA #Percy Lapid # BuCor