DOJ: Preliminary investigation vs confessed Percy Lapid slay gunman, 3 others set on Oct 24

The preliminary investigation on the murder complaint filed against confessed gunman Joel Escorial and his three other accomplices in the killing of radio broadcaster Pervical Mabasa, also known as Percy Lapid, will be on Monday-October 24.

According to GMA News' Saleema Refran, the Department of Justice (DOJ) set the PI of Escorial, Israel Dimaculangan, Edmund Dimaculangan, and a certain Orly at 10 a.m.

Lapid was shot dead while on his way home in Las Piñas City on October 3. He was the host of the online program "Percy Lapid Fire" at DWBL 1242 and a columnist for Hataw.

Escorial surrendered to the police out of fear for his safety. He was presented to the media on October 18 by Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos.

On October 19, Southern Police District chief Police Brigadier General John Kirby Kraft told GMA News online that a murder complaint had been filed against Escorial, the Dimaculangan brothers, and a certain Orly.

Lapid’s brother, Roy Mabasa, arrived at the DOJ office, also on October 19, to sign the complaint against the suspects.

The three accomplices, who are still at large, were all identified by Escorial in his statement to the police.

Meanwhile, Kraft said Sunday that the Lapid killing case was solved as suspects were identified and apprehended.

However, the investigation was still continuing.

Kraft said that included in their investigation was the review of Lapid’s radio program from 2021 to 2022.

They also coordinated with the father of the alleged first middleman in the plot to kill Lapid, who died inside the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) due to a heart hemorrhage. — DVM, GMA News