Bantag, others charged in Percy Lapid killing
Murder complaints were filed before the Department of Justice (DOJ) on Monday, Nov. 7, for the killings of radio commentator Percival Mabasa, better known as Percy Lapid, on Oct. 3 and alleged middleman in the murder contract Cristito Villamor Palana on Oct 18.
Charged as “principals by in
ducement” in both complaints were suspended Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) Director General Gerald Q. Bantag and BuCor’s Deputy Security Officer Ricardo S. Zulueta.
In the Percy Lapid killing, named “principals by indispensable cooperation” were persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) Denver Batungbakal Mayores, Alvin Cornista Labra, Aldrin Micosa Galicia, and Alfie Penaredonda.
For the killing of Palana – earlier identified as Jun Globa Villamor, a PDL at the New Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa City – charged as “principals by direct participation” were PDLs Christian Dizon Ramac, Ricky Lamigo Salgado, Ronnie Pabustan Dela Cruz, and Joel Alog Reyes.
In a statement read during the press conference, the DOJ, Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), and the Philippine National Police (PNP) said:
“It was found through the investigation that both Bantag and Zulueta were behind the killing of both Percy Lapid and Jun Villamor.
‘Clear line’
“The sworn statements of the PDLs show a clear and direct line of communication from the directorgeneral and DSO Zulueta to Denver Mayores, who communicated with Alvin Labra, who then coordinated with Aldrin Galicia, who then orchestrated and executed the killing of Percy Lapid through his gang members and his gang members’ contacts on the outside ultimately ending with gunman Joel Escorial and his group.
“With respect to Jun Villamor, the same sworn statements of the PDLs show a similar clear and direct line of communication from the director-general and DSO Zulueta to Denver Mayores who communicated with Alvin Labra who then coordinated with Aldrin Galicia who then orchestrated and executed the killing of Jun Villamor through his gang members.
‘Suffocated by plastic bag’
“This time, Jun Villamor was suffocated to death by a plastic bag and held by his own gang members.
“This unique circumstance shows that the order came from a high official of the BuCor. One usually seeks refuge and protection from his own gang members.
“The fact that they killed one of their own means and indicates that there were instructions from the top and the gang simply had no choice but to execute.
‘Clear motive’
“Director-General Bantag had a clear motive to effect the murders.
“For Percy Lapid, it was the continued exposé by the latter of the issues against the former on his show, ‘Lapid Fire.’
“This is evident from the video sent by DSO Zulueta to Denver Mayores which was later forwarded to both Alvin Labra and Aldrin Galicia.
“For Jun Villamor, it was the attempt to cover up the murder of Percy Lapid.
“We have initial yet credible intelligence reports that indicate as well that the money trails described by the PDLs match the bank activity of those charged.
“The self-confessed gunman stated that the reward for the murder of Percy Lapid was ₱550,000.
“According to the credible intelligence reports, within the period of Sept. 15, 2022 and Oct. 7, 2022 there were indeed cash deposits totaling the amount of ₱550,000.
“In sum, all the statements given by the PDLs and gunman Joel Escorial, coupled with evidence, corroborate as to the material facts needed to prove the two (2) counts of murder.”
Mabasa family grateful
The family of Mabasa thanked government investigators for filing the murder raps.
Through Percy’s brother, veteran journalist Roy Mabasa, the family expressed their gratitude to the DOJ, DILG, NBI, and the police.
“We are optimistic and asking for prayers and continued support for identifying more masterminds behind Bantag,” Roy said.
He said the family is also grateful that an investigation was conducted on the corruption within BuCor, which Lapid had first revealed in his program “Lapid Fire” before he was killed.
“Sana po ay umpisa na ito upang mapalakas ang proteksyon sa mga mamamahayag na ipinaglalaban ang katotohanan (I hope this will help strengthen the protection accorded to journalists who are fighting for the truth),” Roy said.
Quoting his late brother, Roy said said “speaking out the truth is not courage but an obligation.”
Roy also thanked supporters and listeners of his brother who did not leave them in the middle of their grief.
He posted the family’s statement in his Facebook page.
In a joint press conference with Local Government Secretary Benhur Abalos, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin C. Remulla said a panel of DOJ prosecutors will conduct preliminary investigation on the complaints filed by the NBI and the PNP, which conducted a joint probe on the two killings.
“The case has been filed with the prosecutors [office], from then we will proceed with the case proper,” Remulla said. “Hopefully this issue would be laid to rest the way it should be when a crime is committed against a citizen of the Republic of the Philippines, especially this time, we are talking about a member of media who was felled by assassin’s bullets on Oct. 3.”
Remulla assured that Bantag will be furnished copies of the documents that were filed before the DOJ so that he can answer the charges against him.
“We will give him due process, he will have the right to counsel as all people are entitled to the right to counsel,” he also said.
Surrender now
Remulla likewise urged Bantag and Zulueta to surrender.
“I would like to ask Zulueta and DG Bantag to surrender and face the charges,” Remulla said during a press conference. “If they are innocent, the law will uphold them. If they are guilty, then they would have to face the consequences.”
The DOJ chief said he will order the issuance of an immigration lookout bulletin order ILBO) to monitor whether there will be attempts by Bantag and Zulueta to leave the country.
“We understand that DSO Zulueta has been hiding already. He skipped town four or five days ago,” he added.
NBI Director Medardo G. de Lemos said investigators learned Zulueta has been absent without official leave (AWOL) from the BuCor.
“Wala na siya pero, hindi humihinto yung efforts to locate him (He may be gone but efforts to locate him continue),” De Lemos assured. “Si Gen. Bantag naman, wala pa naman siyang warrant of arrest kaya minomonitor lang natin para malaman natin later on kung nasaan ang kanyang whereabouts (As for Gen. Bantag, we are just monitoring him to determine his whereabouts since no arrest warrant has yet been issued against him by the courts).”
Abalos appealed to the public to provide the government with information on Zulueta’s whereabouts.
“I am asking each and every one who is watching right now to give any information on the whereabouts of Zulueta,” he said during the press conference.
Think about your life
Abalos advised Zulueta to consider turning himself over to authorities like what Joel S. Escorial for fear for his life. Escorial is the confessed gunman in the killing of Percy Lapid.
“I am pleading to Zulueta, just like the gunman, to surrender. Pag-isipan niya na in danger ang buhay niya (He should think that his life is also in danger),” Abalos said.
It is expected that the new complaints will be consolidated with the first complaint filed against Escorial and his alleged three accomplices – brothers Edmon and Israel Dimaculangan, and a person identified only as “Orly” or “Orlando.” The three corespondents have neither surrendered nor have been arrested.
Palana was identified by Escorial as “middleman” in the slaying.
Escorial, in his confession, said he shot Percy Lapid three times.
Remulla, on instructions of President Marcos, ordered Bantag’s preventive suspension in connection with Palana’s death.
₱100K for Mabasa family
Meanwhile, Cavite 4th District Rep. Elpidio Barzaga Jr. gave ₱100,000 to the family of Mabasa as he filed House Resolution (HR) No.508, seeking financial assistance for the family.
The veteran solon asked his House of Representatives colleagues to make contributions of their own for the same cause.
“While the giving of reward is commendable for the immediate apprehension of the perpetrators of the crime, it is also equally important that we provide aid to the heirs of the slain journalist whose relatives are now suffering from threats and intimidation in their lives,” Barzaga said in the House resolution.
Barzaga, chairman of the Committee on Natural Resources, was referring to House Speaker Martin Romualdez’s erstwhile gesture of raising ₱5 million reward for any person who could give information leading to the arrest of the perpetrators.
“This representation, taking into consideration the plight of family members of slain journalists, like Percival Mabasa, believes that we must also provide financial assistance to the heirs of the deceased commentator,” the Cavite congressman noted.
According to him, the ₱100,000 he gave would serve as seed money for the financial assistance.
In his resolution, Barzaga set the deadline for the House members’ contributions on Nov. 30, 2022. He said House Secretary General Reginald Velasco will collect the contributions and turn these over to the family. (With reports from Jean Fernando and Ellson A. Quismorio)