Autopsy findings show ‘middleman’ in Percy Lapid slay suffered heart hemorrhage —NBI

The body of the alleged “middleman” in the plot to kill broadcaster Percy Lapid was found to have suffered a hemorrhage in the heart, findings of the National Bureau of Investigation’s (NBI) autopsy showed.

“The heart showed a hemorrhagic area over the left ventricle. The mitral valve is sclerotic, which could indicate previous illness or valvular infection,” according to the consolidated initial report on the death of Jun Villamor released by the NBI to the media.

The report also said that the autopsy found “no apparent sign of external physical injury.”

Bureau of Corrections spokesman Gabriel Chaclag earlier said that initial findings on the body of inmate Villamor “show no signs of physical external injuries which probably indicates a natural cause of death or no signs of foul play.” 

Likewise, the initial report said that Villamor’s COVID-19 antigen test result was “negative.”

Moreover, the paraffin test on his body, which could indicate if a person had fired a gun, also yielded a negative result.

On Thursday, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said that the alleged middleman has passed away. 

Chaclag said Villamor was brought to the New Bilibid Prison hospital due to loss of consciousness at 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday, October 18.

Even though the hospital tried resuscitation, Villamor was pronounced dead at 2 p.m. by the medical officer on duty.

He said the cadaver is currently at the eastern funeral service in Alabang where an autopsy was conducted by a medico-legal team from the NBI.

Lapid, whose real name is Percival Mabasa and was host of online broadcast program "Percy Lapid Fire" at DWBL 1242 and columnist for Hataw, was shot dead while on his way home in Las Piñas City on October 3.

Self-confessed gunman Joel Escorial named Villamor as the alleged middleman in the contract to kill the broadcaster.

Lapid's brother Roy Mabasa expressed dismay over the death of the alleged middleman, saying that “someone must be held accountable.”

On Saturday, Mabasa said the Lapid family wants an independent autopsy done on the remains of Villamor. —KG, GMA News