PNP vows justice for Percy Lapid: ‘Whatever it takes, whoever may be indicted’

The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Tuesday vowed to bring justice to slain broadcaster Percy Lapid, saying that the rule of law shall prevail, whoever may be indicted.

“As we have vowed from day-one of this investigation, we will bring this case to its conclusion, whatever it takes and whoever may be indicted,” the PNP said in a statement.

The PNP also said that they owe it to Lapid’s family and colleagues from the media to deliver justice and put closure to his murder.

It said that they have established a strong foundation to the case, with several pieces of evidence secured and having in custody self-confessed gunman Joel Escorial.

The testimonial evidence from the sister of alleged middleman Jun Villamor and his presentation of the dying declaration have reinforced evidence to the case, according to the PNP.

“The joint PNP - National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) investigation found BuCor Director General Gerald Bantag with a motive for the Percy Mabasa Murder due to continued expose by the victim in his radio program Percy Lapid Fire,” the PNP said, referring to Lapid by his real name.

“Through the PDL’s sworn statements, Director General Bantag’s participation to the killing was evidenced by a clear showing of a direct line of communication from him and Deputy Security Officer (DSO) Ricardo Zulueta to Denver Mayores who subsequently relayed the instructions to other gang members,” it added.

On November 7, the PNP and the NBI filed murder complaints against suspended Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) chief Gerald Bantag and others in relation to the case.

Also named respondents in the complaint were Senior Superintendent Ricardo Zulueta, a BuCor official, and persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) Denver Batungbakal Mayores, Alvin Cornista Labra, Aldrin Micosa Galicia, and Alfie Peñaredonda.

Bantag and Zulueta were named principals by inducement while the others were principals by indispensable cooperation.

The charge in connection with Villamor's death, meanwhile, was filed against Bantag and Zulueta as principals by inducement, and PDLs Labra, Micosa, Mario Germones Alvarez, and Joseph Medel Georfo as principals by indispensable cooperation.

Christam Ramac, Ricky Lamigo Salgado, Ronnie Pabustan Dela Cruz, and Joel Alog Reyes—all PDLs—were charged as principals by direct participation.

“The PNP assures the family of Percy Lapid of our continued active collaboration with the Department of Justice (DOJ) in the pursuit to bring full closure to this case,” the PNP said.

“We likewise assure our journalists and the public in general that the PNP is doing its best to prevent the occurrence of similar crimes in our communities to provide a safer place to live and enjoy for the Filipino people,” it added.

Meanwhile, the DOJ is seeking to file a hold departure order against Bantag and Zulueta.

Lapid, a hard-hitting radio commentator, was shot dead in Las Piñas City on October 3. — BM, GMA Integrated News