Percy Lapid slay suspects plead not guilty in Las Piñas arraignment
The suspects in the killing of journalist, Percival Lapid, plead not guilty during the arraignment at the Las Piñas Regional Trial Court (RTC) on Friday, May 12.
According to Roy Mabasa, brother of Lapid, all the suspects who were detained at the National Bilibid Prison and Bureau of Jail Management (BJMP) plead not guilty through a video call.
Mabasa said the self confessed gunman, Joel Escorial, who was placed under Witness Protection Program (WPP), also attended the arraignment through a video call and plead not guilty in the killing of Lapid.
He said the alleged mastermind in the killing of his brother, former Bureau of Correction (BuCor) chief Gerald Bantag and BuCor deputy security officer Ricardo Zulueta were not present during the arraignment.
Lapid’s brother, Mabasa added that a lawyer of one of the persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) filed a motion for a plea bargaining agreement.
Mabasa said the motion is asking to shorter the sentence of PDLs.
He said the next arraignment is scheduled on June 19.
Lapid was ambushed and shot in October last year at the gate of BF Resort Village, Talon II, Las Piñas on his way to attend his radio program.