The “middleman” who was detained at the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) in Muntinlupa City and who allegedly hired the killer of hard-hitting radio commentator Percival Mabasa may have died due to natural causes last Oct. 18, the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) said.
BuCor Deputy Director General Gabriel P. Chaclag confirmed on Friday, Oct. 21, the death of Jun Villamor (Crisanto Palana Villamor), a suspect in the killing of Mabasa, better known as Percy Lapid.
Chaclag said: “Initial findings showed no signs of physical external injuries which probably indicate a natural cause of death or no signs of foul play.”
“However, we are still awaiting the official and final autopsy result which will include a toxicology test that will be further conducted today (Oct. 21) to complete the autopsy,” he said.
Chaclag also said that Villamor’s remains lie at the Eastern Funeral Service in Alabang, Muntinlupa City where an autopsy was done National Bureau of Investigation’s (NBI) medico-legal team.
“The final and official result will be released by the NBI Medico-Legal team accordingly after all results come in,” he added.
Narrating the events on Villamor’s death, Chaclag said that at around 1:30 pm last Tuesday, Oct. 18, Villamor was “brought to the NBP hospital by the ‘Bantay kalusugan’ due to loss of consciousness.”
“Medical management (Cardio pulmonary resuscitation) was done by the hospital but at about 2 p.m. of the same date, PDL (person deprived of liberty) Villamor was pronounced dead by the medical officer on duty,” he said.
Self-confessed killer Joel S. Escorial, in his affidavit, identified Villamor as the person who hired him to kill Mabasa for a P550,000 reward.
Escorial and three other suspects -- brothers Edmon and Israel Dimaculangan, and a person identified only as “Orly” or “Orlando” – have been charged with murder before the Department of Justice (DOJ) for Mabasa’s killing.
Escorial asked the DOJ to conduct a preliminary investigation on the charge. The DOJ set the formal investigation starting Oct. 24.
TAGS: #DOJ #BuCor #Percy Lapid