Department of Justice (DOJ) Secretary Jesus Crispin C. Remulla said on Tuesday, Oct. 18, that he will ask the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) to look into allegations that the order to kill hard-hitting radio commentator Percival Mabasa, also known as “Percy Lapid,” came from within the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) in Muntinlupa City.
During a press conference, Remulla said he will personally ask Director General Gerald Q. Bantag to investigate following the surrender of the self-confessed gunman identified as Joel Estorial.
“I will tell him (Bantag) to give me a report on this if he has any knowledge already. What the gunman said and what DG knows we do not know if they are the same, Remulla said.
Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benhur Abalos on Tuesday presented Estorial who decided to surrender due to concerns over his safety after the release of a photo of him taken from the closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage of the crime.
Estorial revealed that the order to kill Mabasa came from inside the New Bilibid Prisons. He claimed he has been threatened to be killed should he fail to liquidate Mabasa.
“I want to be briefed about it and I will ask Secretary Abalos to brief me later,” Remulla said.
“Kung sino man yan dapat malaman natin (Whoever is behind this crime we have to know),” he stressed.
Mabasa was ambushed last Oct. 3 at the gate of BF-Resort in Barangay Talon Uno in Las Pinas City last Oct. 3.
Reports stated that Mabasa was about to enter the gate while driving his vehicle when its rear portion was bumped by a white Toyota Fortuner and the suspect who was riding a motorcycle shot him.
Estorial said there were three persons who were sent to kill Mabasa. Aside from him, he identified brothers Edmon and Israel Dimaculangan, and a certain Orly from Batangas.
TAGS: #DOJ #REMULLA # Percy Lapid #BuCor