Percy Lapid brod sees conspiracy after reported death of ‘middleman’ in slay plot

The brother of broadcast journalist Percy Lapid has expressed dismay over the reported death of the New Bilibid Prison inmate who allegedly acted as the "middleman" in the killing of the radio commentator in early October.

According to Saleema Refran’s report on “24 Oras”, journalist Roy Mabasa said “someone must be held accountable.”

“Ito’y nagpapatunay na mayroong malawakang sabwatan na nangyayari dito sa pagpatay sa aking kapatid,” Mabasa said.

(This proves that there is a massive conspiracy going on to kill my brother.)

Mabasa said the development would be a “stumbling block in the progress of the case.”

“Magiging stumbling block ito du’n sa pag-usad ng kaso. Saan na aabot ‘yung kaso kung walang middleman na magtuturo du’n sa mastermind?" Mabasa said.

"Ilang araw na po nating pinananawagan na protektahan lahat ng taong may kinalaman sa kasong ito,” he added.

(This will be a stumbling block in the progress of the case. Where will the case go if there is no middleman to teach the mastermind? We have been calling for the protection of all the people involved in this case.)

“Subalit ito nga biglang mag-announce DOJ na patay na pala ‘yung nasa kustodiya ng isa sa mga ahensya sa ilalim nila. Dapat may mananagot sa ganito,” he added.

(But the DOJ suddenly announced that the person in the custody of one of the agencies under them is dead. Someone should be held accountable for this.)

GMA News is still trying to get comments from the DOJ, New Bilibid Prison, and Philippine National Police.

Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla on Thursday afternoon said that an NBP inmate who allegedly acted as "a middleman" in the plot to kill slain broadcaster Percy Lapid has died.

He said the inmate died at the NBP hospital.

Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos said the authorities were disappointed over the death of inmate. 

“Hiniyang na hinayang kami sa nangyaring ito. Sana maunawaan ng lahat na pinaghirapan ito ng kapulisiyahan ang kasong ito. Talagang galit kami. Galit na galit kami and we are demanding kung mangyari man ‘yun, ang talagang mananagot ay dapat managot,” Abalos said in a press briefing.

A police official said there was still another suspected middleman in the Percy Lapid slay at a jail of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, and he has been secured by authorities.

“Dalawa po ang itong ating middleman na kumontak sa kanila at ‘yung isa nga po ay na dito po sa Bureau of Jail Management and Penology. So, sinecure po natin ‘yan,” said Southern Police District director Police Brigadier General Kirby Kraft.—NB, GMA News