The “mastermind” in the killing of radio commentator Percival Mabasa, better known as Percy Lapid, may be known towards the end of next week, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin C. Remulla said on Friday, Oct. 28.
“The proper cases can be filed by the end of next week hopefully” and it is “very possible” that the mastermind could be identified, he said.
He expressed satisfaction over the joint probe being conducted by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) on the Oct. 3, 2022 Percy Lapid killing.
“I think we have made a lot of progress. I’m guiding it through to make sure that is would get resolved,” Remulla told journalists.
Self-confessed gunman in the Percy Lapid killing, Joel S. Escorial, surrendered to the PNP for fear of his life. He named his three accomplices in the killing and a “middleman” who was detained at the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) in Muntinlupa City.
The Percy Lapid killing became complicated when hours after Escorial was presented to the media last Oct. 18, Jun Globa Villamor, the alleged “middleman” at the NBP, died.
Several “persons of interest” in the death of Villamor have been in the NBI and PNP custody. They have been subjected to investigations.
A second autopsy on the remains of Villamor has been conducted by noted pathologist Dr. Raquel Fortun whose findings are expected to be disclosed on Saturday, Oct. 29.
Remulla had said that the killing of Villamor may also be a murder case just like that of Percy Lapid’s.
The complicated killing became more sensational when the sister of Villamor, called Marisa (not her real name), sought the assistance of Senator Raffy Tulfo. Marisa was turned over to the DOJ which placed her under the government’s Witness Protection Program and turned over to the NBI for custody.
Marisa told investigators and her brother texted her hours before he died and expressed his fear for his life. She said her brother told her of three NBP detainees involved in the Percy Lapid killing with request that if he dies, she should divulge the information.
Initially, the PNP filed murder complaint against Escorial and the three accomplices he named as brothers Edmon and Israel Dimaculangan, and a third person identified only as “Orly” or “Orlando.”
The DOJ will resume on Nov. 4 the preliminary investigation of the PNP’s complaint.
In the meantime, while investigations are being conducted, Percy Lapid’s brother, Roy, also a journalist, disclosed that members of his family have been receiving threats.
Both the PNP and the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) offered protection to the Mabasa family members.
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