The Department of Justice (DOJ) on Wednesday, March 20, said it plans to hire Dr. Raquel Fortun to conduct forensic examination on the remains of former Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) deputy security officer Ricardo S. Zulueta who had been charged with two counts of murder for the 2022 killings of radio broadcaster Percival C. Mabasa and alleged middleman Cristito Villamor Palana.

"To dispel doubts and rumors, once and for all, the DOJ is also contemplating seeking Dr. Raquel Fortun’s expertise  to conduct an autopsy on Zulueta’s remains,” Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin C. Remulla said. 

He assured that the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) continues to look into the death of Zulueta last March 15.

“Unravel the truth, leave no stone unturned and don’t let anyone or anything prevent us from pursuing accountability and delivering justice,” Remulla said in his directive to the NBI.

At the same time, Remulla asked the Philippine National Police (PNP) “to share with the DOJ its findings, as well, on the cause of Zulueta’s death.”

Zulueta and former BuCor director general Gerald Q. Bantag were charged with two counts of murder before the Las Pinas City regional  trial court (RTC) over Mabasa's death and before the Muntinlupa City RTC over the death of Palana, a person deprived of liberty at the New Bilibid Prison.

Both trial courts have issued arrest orders against Zulueta and Bantag.  Bantag remained at large. 

Reports stated that Zulueta died in Bataan last March 15. "Reports claim that Zulueta was brought to the hospital by his brother because of severe chest pains then died shortly after he was brought to the hospital,” the DOJ said.

“However, his death certificate showed that the cause of death was cerebrovascular disease intracranial hemorrhage which brings confusion as to the real cause of death,” it said.