The Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) assured the public that the alleged second middleman involved in the killing of broadcaster Percival “Percy Lapis’’ Mabasa is secured.
BJMP spokesperson Supt. Xavier Solda said that the person deprived of liberty (PDL) in Camp Bagong Diwa is in solitary confinement in the cell adjacent to the other inmates.
Solitary confinement is a form of imprisonment in which the inmate lives in a single cell with little or no meaningful contact with other people.
“Makasisiguro po at makatitiyak na ‘yong mga kababayan natin na ang pagse-secure ng PDL hindi lang naman po ‘yan sa mga high profile or mga high-risk PDL natin. Pare-pareho po ang provisional security natin (The public is guaranteed and assured that the PDL, not only high profile or our high-risk PDL are secured. We have a uniformed provisional security),’’ Solda explained.
But in the Percy Lapid case, Solda asserted that the BJMP wants to have no problem regarding the supposed middleman since the said PDL is a key person being investigated by the Philippine National Police (PNP).
Solda, who joined BJMP officials at an event in the Taguig City Jail male dormitory, said he was able to visit the inmate in his cell and check his condition.
During his visit to the inmate, Solda noted that the said middleman disclosed having no threats when questioned about his current state inside his cell.
Jun Villamor, the first alleged middleman identified by confessed gunman Joel Escorial, died in the New Bilibid Prisons a week ago.
While an initial autopsy by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) ruled out external injuries, Villamor’s remains have been re-autopsied again at the request of Mabasa’s family.
Earlier, the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) said the initial findings of its health service showed no signs of physical injuries on the late inmate alleged to be a "middleman" in the shooting of Mabasa.
BuCor spokesperson Gabriel Chaclag said this "probably indicates a natural cause of death or no signs of foul play" against Villamor from the New Bilibid Prison (NBP).
Solda said the BJMP fully supports the PNP’s investigation.
The BJMP spokesperson added the bureau was ordered to ensure the safety of the alleged second middleman but stressed his link to the Percy Lapid slay case remains unproven.