Suspended Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) Director General Gerald Q. Bantag and BuCor’s Deputy Security Officer Ricardo S. Zulueta were charged as “principals by inducement” in the murder of Percy Lapid and inmate Cristito Villamor Palana, the alleged “middleman” in the slaying of the radio commentator last Oct. 3 in Las Pinas City.

The “middleman,” earlier identified as Jun Globa Villamor, died last Oct. 18 at the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) in Muntinlupa City barely a few hours after self-confessed Percy Lapid’s gunman, Joel S. Escorial, was presented to the media.

Escorial, in his confession, said he shot Percy Lapid three times which caused the radio commentator’s death.

The autopsy on Villamor’s remains showed that the manner of his death was “homicide” thru “asphyxiation” which was consistent with the testimonies gathered during the joint NBI-PNP probe.

Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin C. Remulla, on instructions by President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., ordered Bantag’s preventive suspension in connection with Villamor’s death.

In the Percy Lapid killing, named as “principals by indispensable cooperation” were persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) Denver Batungbakal Mayores, Alvin Cornista Labra, Aldrin Micosa Galicia and Alfie Penaredonda.

For the killing of Villamor, charged as “principals by direct participation” were PDLs Christian Dizon Ramac, Ricky Lamigo Salgado, Ronnie Pabustan Dela Cruz, and Joel Alog Reyes.

In a statement during the press conference, the DOJ, DILG, NBI and PNP said:

“It was found through the investigation that both Director-General Gerald Bantag and DSO Ricardo Zulueta were behind the killing of both Percy Lapid and Jun Villamor.

“The sworn statements of the PDLs show a clear and direct line of communication from the Director-General and DSO Ricardo Zulueta to Denver Mayores who communicated with Alvin Labra who then coordinated with Aldrin Galicia who then orchestrated and executed the killing of Percy Lapid through his Gang members and his Gang members’ contacts on the outside ultimately ending with gunman Joel Escorial and his group.

“With respect to Jun Villamor, the same sworn statements of the PDLs show a similar clear and direct line of communication from the Director-General and DSO Ricardo Zulueta to Denver Mayores who communicated with Alvin Labra who then coordinated with Aldrin Galicia who then orchestrated and executed the killing of Jun Villamor through his Gang members.

“This time, Jun Villamor was suffocated to death by a plastic bag and held by his own Gang members.

“This unique circumstance shows that the order came from a high official of the BuCor. One usually seeks refuge and protection from his own Gang members.

“The fact that they killed one of their own means and indicates that there were instructions from the top and the Gang simply had no choice but to execute.

“Director-General Bantag had a clear motive to effect the murders.

“For Percy Lapid, it was the continued exposé by the latter of the issues against the former on his show, ‘Lapid Fire.’

“This is evident from the video sent by DSO Zulueta to Denver Mayores which was later forwarded to both Alvin Labra and Aldrin Galicia.

“For Jun Villamor, it was the attempt to cover up the murder of Percy Lapid.

“We have initial yet credible intelligence reports that indicate as well that the money trails described by the PDLs match the bank activity of those charged.

“The self-confessed gunman stated that the reward for the murder of Percy Lapid was P550,000.

“According to the credible intelligence reports, within the period of Sept. 15, 2022 and Oct. 7, 2022 there were indeed cash deposits totaling the amount of P550,000.

“In sum, all the statements given by the PDLs and gunman Joel Escorial, coupled with evidence, corroborate as to the material facts needed to prove the two (2) counts of murder.”

TAGS: #DOJ #Percy Lapid #Villamor #Remulla