Murder complaints were filed before the Department of Justice (DOJ) on Monday, Nov. 7, for the killings of radio commentator Percival Mabasa, better known as Percy Lapid, last Oct. 3 and alleged middleman in the slaying Cristito Villamor Palana last Oct 18.
Charged as “principals by inducement’ in the complaints were suspended Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) Director General Gerald Q. Bantag and BuCor’s Deputy Security Officer Ricardo S. Zulueta.
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 Palana, earlier identified as Jun Globa Villamor – a PDL at the New Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa City -- charged as “principals by direct participation” were PDLs Christian Dizon Ramac, Ricky Lamigo Salgado, Ronnie Pabustan Dela Cruz, and Joel Alog Reyes.
During a joint press conference with Local Government Secretary Benjamin C. Abalos Jr., Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin C. Remulla said a panel of DOJ prosecutors will conduct preliminary investigation on the complaints filed by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) which conducted a joint probe on the two killings.
“The case has been filed with the prosecutors from then we will proceed with the case proper,” Remulla said.
“Hopefully this issue would be laid to rest the way it should be when a crime is committed against a citizen of the Republic of the Philippines, especially this time, we are talking about a member of media who was felled by assassin’s bullets last Oct. 3,” he said.
At the same time, Remulla assured that Bantag will be furnished copies of the documents that were filed before the DOJ so that he can answer the charges against him.
“We will give him due process, he will have the right to counsel as all people are entitled to the right to counsel,” he also said.
It is expected that the new complaints will be consolidated with the first complaint filed against Joel S. Escorial, the self-confessed killer of Percy Lapid, and his alleged three accomplices – brothers Edmon and Israel Dimaculangan, and a person identified only as “Orly” or “Orlando.” The three co-respondents have neither surrendered nor arrested.
Palana was identified by Escorial as “middleman” in the slaying.
Escorial, in his confession, said he shot Percy Lapid three times which caused the radio commentator’s death.
On the other hand, the second 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.
Secretary Remulla, on instructions by President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., ordered Bantag’s preventive suspension in connection with Palana’s death.
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