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Abalos confident surrender of Percy Lapid's gunman will lead to mastermind

Philippines | National

Abalos confident surrender of Percy Lapid's gunman will lead to mastermind

By Chito Chavez

Department of the Interior and Local Government Secretary Benjamin ‘Benhur’ C. Abalos, Jr. is optimistic that the surrender of the alleged gunman in the killing of broadcast journalist Percival Mabasa will eventually lead the police to the mastermind.

“With the surrender of Joel Escorial, we now have the key to unravel the motive and identify those who plotted the liquidation of Mr. Lapid. With the forensic results, we also now have a strong case against the suspect,” said Abalos.

Abalos presented Escorial on Tuesday at Camp Crame in Quezon City where the latter admitted that he was forced to surrender due to fear for his safety.

Abalos said the police is now conducting extensive follow-up operations to arrest Israel and Edmon Dimaculangan and a certain Orlando/Orly whom Estorial identified as his cohorts in Mabasa’s killing.

“Sumuko na rin kayo (the other suspects) dahil hindi titigil ang pulisya hanggang hindi kayo nasusukol (You might as well surrender as the police will not stop until you are all collared),’’ Abalos warned.

Abalos also commended the Philippine National Police (PNP) for what he describes as an efficient police work that led to the surrender of Escorial.

“In just 15 days, we have already achieved a major breakthrough in the Percy Lapid case. Salamat sa PNP sa pagtutok sa kasong ito at sa mabilis na imbestigasyon kaya napuwersa ang main suspect na sumuko (Thanks to the PNPfor their intense focus on this case and expeditious investigation that forced the main suspect to surrender),’’ Abalos said in a statement.

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