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Percy Lapid killing suspect dies after a hostage drama in Batangas

Philippines | National

Percy Lapid killing suspect dies after a hostage drama in Batangas

By Aaron Recuenco

One of the suspects in the killing of broadcast journalist Percival Mabasa chose to shoot himself to death instead of surrendering when policemen tracked his location in Lipa City in Batangas on Sunday, Aug. 11, an official said.

Police Maj. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez, Jr, director of the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO), also disclosed that suspect Orlando Almanor also held his live-in partner and his child hostage after he was cornered by the policemen in Purok 4, Barangay Lumbang in Lipa City.

“Our men were able to pinpoint the house and while they were about to serve the arrest warrant, he held his live-in partner and their small child hostage. There was a negotiation that happened,” said Nartatez.

It took a few hours before his relatives convinced him to release his live-in partner and the child, according to Nartatez.

“While there was a negotiation for his surrender, he shot himself in front of the barangay captain and his cousin,” the official said.

Almanor, alias ‘Orly” was tagged as among those who planned the killing of Mabasa, popularly known as Percy Lapid.

His name surfaced after the self-confessed gunman, Joel Escorial, surrendered to the police. Escorial was earlier sentenced to 16 years imprisonment, the light penalty was due to his cooperation in the investigation.

At least three other people are still being hunted down, including the alleged mastermind, former Bureau of Corrections chief Gerald Bantag.

Nartatez said two of these suspects were sighted in Lipa City at least two weeks ago, which led the police to the location of Almanor.

Mabasa was gunned down in Las Piñas City in 2022 over his expose on alleged irregularities in the government, including inside the Bureau of Corrections then headed by Bantag.

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Percy Lapid

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