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After middleman's death: Abalos directs PNP to ensure safety of gunman in Percy Lapid slay
After middleman's death: Abalos directs PNP to ensure safety of gunman in Percy Lapid slay
By Chito Chavez
Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benjamin ‘Benhur’ Abalos Jr. ordered the Philippine National Police (PNP) on Friday, Oct. 21, to secure Joel Escorial, the self-confessed gunman in the killing of broadcaster Percival “Percy Lapid’’ Mabasa.
This, after the Department of Justice confirmed the death of the alleged middleman in the case while being imprisoned at the National Bilibid Prison (NBP) last Oct. 18. The middleman was said to be the one who contacted Escorial and his cohorts to kill Mabasa last Oct. 3.
“Inaatasan ko ang PNP na higpitan ang pagbabantay kay Joel Escorial pagkatapos ng masamang nangyari sa mga contact niya sa Bilibid (NBP). Siguruhin natin ang kanyang kaligtasan dahil siya ang susi sa pagresolba ng kasong ito (I directed the PNP to tighten the security of Joel Escorial after the unfortunate incident that fell on his contacts at the Bilibid. We should ensure his safety since he is the key in resolving this case),’’ Abalos asserted.
Abalos stated that the DILG and the PNP were dismayed and upset with the unexpected death of the alleged middleman in the killing of Mabasa as this might derail the identification of the mastermind.
“Hinayang na hinayang kami sa nangyari na ito. Sana maunawaan ng lahat na pinaghirapan ng PNP ang kasong ito. Day 1 pa lang ay nag-offer na tayo ng reward at halos araw-araw ay talagang pinagpaguran ito ng Task Force Lapid, talagang binack-track ito hanggang sa matunton natin itong gunman (We very much regret on the turn of events. I hope that everybody understands that the PNP worked hard in this case. Since day one, we already offered a reward and almost everyday the Task Force Lapid really focused on this, they backtracked the turn of events until the gunman was identified). It has really been hard work on the part of our PNP,” he added.
A peeved Abalos assured that those involved will be made answerable if it is determined that the middleman’s death was intentional and planned to break the link leading to the mastermind.
On Oct. 18, Abalos presented Escorial to the media following an extensive investigation of the PNP on the killing of Mabasa and a bounty offered at P6.5 million which led to the arrest of the self-confessed gunman.
He said that the middleman's death will only motivate the DILG and PNP to work harder to ensure the murder case’s resolution and justice is brougth to the family of Mabasa.
“Huwag kayong mag-alala, ngayon lalo kaming magdo-double time to make sure that whatever other pieces of evidence ay makalap at matunton natin ang mastermind nito (Don’t worry, today we will work double time to make sure that the other pieces of evidence are collected that would lead us to the mastermind).’’ Abalos stated.
Abalos maintained that the early presentation of the alleged gunman did not derail the development of the case. On the contrary, he said it has aided and hastened the progress of the case.