Gunman in Percy Lapid killing continues to 'sing', reveals more names- PNP
More names have surfaced as suspects in the killing of broadcast journalist Percival Mabasa as the self-confessed gunman continues to spill the beans, an official of the Philippine National Police (PNP) said.
Police Brig. Gen. Kirby John Kraft, director of the Southern Police District and commander of the Special Investigation Task Group Percy Lapid, said they have already submitted a supplemental affidavit before the Prosecutor's Office in connection with the new revelations made by Joel Escorial.
"He has new revelations and we already submitted additional extrajudicial confessions wherein he mentioned other people. These people are the subject of our investigation," said Kraft.
Escorial surrendered on Oct. 17 over fears for his safety when he was told by the people who contracted him to do a hit job on Mabasa, more known as Percy Lapid who was gunned down in Las Piñas City on Oct. 3.
His fears turned out to be valid as then middleman he squealed, Crisanto "Jun" Villamor" died inside the New Bilibid Prisons (NBP) a day after his surrender.
Both President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos and national police chief Gen. Rodolfo Azurin, Jr. have already expressed doubts that Villamor died of natural causes as what the autopsy revealed.
Escorial earlier tagged brothers Edmon and Israel Dimaculangan, and a certain Orly, as his companions in the hit job. He said they were paid P550,000 for killing Mabasa.
"We already filed a case against them (Dimcaulangan brothers and Orly). We are just waiting for the issuance of the arrest warrant," said Kraft.
"We have leads as to their possible hideouts," he added.
Kraft said the new names mentioned by Escorial will be of big help in their efforts to identify the brains behind the killing of Mabasa.
Earlier, Kraft said they have already coordinated with the NBP to secure three more inmates named by Villamor's sister. Before his death, Villamor allegedly told his sister that there were three gang leaders inside Bilibid who tapped him for the killing of Mabasa.
Kraft said they also have persons of interest in relation to the people who deposited the money to the account of Escorial who told the police after his surrender that his share of P140,000 was deposited to his account.