Remulla believes no more individuals behind Percy Lapid ‘masterminds’

Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla on Tuesday said he believes that there are no more individuals behind the alleged masterminds of the killing of broadcaster Percy Lapid.

Remulla said this when asked about the remark of Roy Mabasa, Lapid’s brother, that he wished to ensure that there were no more individuals pulling the strings.

“Sa tingin ko ay wala na (I don’t think there’s anymore),” he said in a message to reporters.

On Monday, authorities pointed to suspended Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) chief Gerald Bantag and Senior Superintendent Ricardo Zulueta as the masterminds behind the killing.

The Philippine National Police (PNP) and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) filed murder complaints against Bantag, Zulueta, and some persons deprived of liberty.

For its part, the NBI said it is still considering the possibility that there may be a more powerful mastermind than Bantag behind the killing of Lapid.

Meanwhile, Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos and Remulla have asked Zulueta, who was said to have gone into hiding, and Bantag to surrender.

“I plead to Zulueta to just surrender right now. Just like the gunman who surrendered. Napag-isipan niya na in danger ang buhay niya. And I’m asking everyone who is watching right now to give any information to the whereabouts of Zulueta,” Abalos said.

“I’d like to ask Zulueta and DG Bantag to surrender and to face the charges. If they are innocent, the law will uphold them. If they’re guilty, then, they will have to face the consequences,” Remulla, meanwhile, said.

Lapid was shot dead while on his way home in Las Piñas City on October 3.

His self-confessed gunman Joel Escorial and accomplices are facing murder complaints. —KG, GMA Integrated News