Cellphone of middleman in Percy Lapid killing ‘missing’

The cellphone of the middleman in the killing of broadcaster Percy Lapid was “missing,” according to Maki Pulido’s “24 Oras” report on Wednesday.

Department of Justice (DOJ) Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said this will not be an issue because they can still get the record from the telecommunications company.

Remulla said the department has a list of names of the possible mastermind in the killing of Lapid.

“We are pursuing possible names but we have to work on it,” he said.

He said that there are eight persons of interest under the custody of the DOJ including those who were mentioned by the sibling of Cristito Villamor Palaña or Jun Villamor, the inmate who died and tagged as the middleman.

Villamor’s two sisters are under witness protection.

The testimony of one of Villamor’s sisters is important because she received the text message of the middleman which can be considered as “dying declaration.”

Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Rodolfo Azurin Jr. answered the allegations of suspended Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) director general Gerald Bantag who said that the coordination of the police with the BuCor was “late.”

“Yung initial sana nakilala nila kung gaano ka-significant or importante yung ginawa na effort ng ating kapulisan for them to be on guard dahil nga po nandoon po nakakulong yung isa po sa mga middleman whether the name is correct. At least, on their part eh mayroon sanang aksyong ginawa po,” Azurin said in Mariz Umali’s separate “24 Oras” report.

Azurin said he did not mention the name of Bantag under the persons of interest in the killing of Lapid.

“I never mentioned po yung kanyang pangalan, hindi po sa akin nanggaling. I was asked by the media and sabi ko nga, if we are going to go back po sa mga binatikos ni Ginoong Percy Lapid ay kasama po siya kaya definitely po is nung tinanong ako siyempre sinabi ko, oo kasama siya, dahil isa siya po sa nabatikos ni Ginoong Percy Lapid po,” he said.

Bantag earlier linked his suspension to individuals whom he said have issues against him.

He was preventively suspended following the death of Villamor.

Meanwhile, the PNP is confident that it will get the mastermind based on the information of other witnesses.

The PNP also provided a 24/7 security to the families of Lapid and Villamor.

The authorities are continuously conducting manhunt operations, while the warrant of arrest will be released for the other suspects in the case.

CHR meeting

On Wednesday, journalist Roy Mabasa, brother Lapid, met with the Commission Human Rights (CHR) to discuss the case.

According to a report on “24 Oras”, CHR said it is also conducting its own investigation on Lapid's slay.

The commission added that among the contents of their recommendation are persons who should be charged and if there are government officials involved in the crime.

The death threats received by the Mabasa family will be investigated alongside the death of Villamor, the report also said.

Earlier in the day, Senator Risa Hontiveros disclosed audio recordings and screenshots of communications made by anonymous people allegedly threatening the Mabasa family.

At a press conference, Hontiveros said Lapid's family provided her with details of the threats that they had received, including offers to provide information on Bantag's alleged involvement in the case.

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.—Richa Noriega/Mel Matthew Doctor/LDF, GMA News