Senate panel to look into Percy Lapid slay — Bato dela Rosa

The Senate Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs is set to investigate the killing of broadcaster Percy Lapid, its chairperson Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa said on Thursday.

“Kapag na-refer na yan sa komite ko, then I will start with the investigation at ma-refer yan sa plenary, mabasa yan sa plenary on first reading, sa November 7 pa, pagbalik namin galing sa break,” Dela Rosa said in an interview on GMA News Unang Balita.

(If it is referred to my committee, then I will start with the investigation and if it is referred and read to the plenary on first reading on November 7 when we return from our break.)

On Tuesday, Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. filed Senate Resolution  No. 264, calling on  the committee to conduct an inquiry on the fatal shooting of Lapid, whose real name is Percival Mabasa.

Bato said the return of death penalty for heinous crimes will prevent such killings as some criminals have no intention of changing their lives but are becoming even more evil.

Asked about the claim of the self-confessed gunman Joel Escorial that someone from the New Bilibid Prison ordered him and three other suspects to execute the killing, Bato said that it is “very possible.”

He cited an incident where a drug lord inside the Bilibid was able to order a hit on a live-in partner who was outside the national penitentiary.

Bato said the construction of a new isolated jail facility for heinous crimes would prevent persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) to commit more crimes.

With the new Separate Facility for Heinous Crimes Inmates Act, the government aims to build the facility within a military establishment or an island separate from the mainland.

The jail will be located in a “secured and isolated place” to ensure that there is no unwarranted contact or communication from outside of the institution.

Dela Rosa, a former chief of the Philippine National Police, said he fully trusts the police in the investigation.

For him, the police have nothing to gain or reason to make up stories for the case and risk their careers.

Lapid, 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.

On October 18, the police presented Escorial to the media after he surrendered on October 17. He identified three more suspects as siblings Edmon and Israel Dimaculangan, and a certain Orlando or Orly.

The three other suspects are still at large. The police are offering a P6.5-million reward for information about them. — RSJ, GMA News