Members of the Southern Police District (SPD) and the Las Piñas police conducted a walk-through at the scene of the killing of hard-hitting veteran journalist Percival Mabasa alias Percy Lapid last Oct. 3 in Las Pinas City to determine the process of the crime.
According to SPD Director Gen. Kirby John Brion Kraft, the self-confessed gun-for-hire, Joel Escorial, walked them through at the scene of the crime and how he waited for Lapid before shooting him to death.
Kraft said the brother of Lapid, Roy Mabasa, joined the police convoy that first entered the BF Resort Village and proceeded to Lalaine Bennet Street where the suspects allegedly conducted the surveillance.
He said the convoy also visited Sta. Cecilia Village where Lapid resides and then to Alabang-Zapote Road.
The SPD chief said the walk-through was conducted upon the request of Mabasa and the family of the victim to confirm if the confession of Escorial on the process of how he killed Lapid would match the CCTV footage taken by the police.
"Itinuro niya (suspek) po ang mga lugar kung saan sila tumambay at sinundan ang biktima. Kasama po natin ang representative ng pamilya ng biktima, ang kanyang kapatid na si Roy Mabasa," (The suspect pinpointed the place where they waited and followed Lapid. His brother Roy joined us), according to Kraft.
Kraft also said they could not still give full details on the development of the case but assured that they are conducting a thorough investigation on the killing of Lapid.
He said Escorial will remain in the custody of the SPD Special Investigation task Group.
Mabasa thanked the SPD and the Las Piñas police under the supervision of Col. Jaime Santos for allowing his request for a walk-through.
He said the surrender of Escorial is a big breakthrough in the fight against media killings.
Mabasa said Escorial was able to give the details of how they plotted to kill Lapid which could help the police in their investigation.