PNP open to possibility of more powerful mastermind in Percy Lapid slay

The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Wednesday said it is open to the possibility that a more powerful mastermind than suspended Bureau of Correction (BuCor) chief Gerald Bantag was behind the killing of broadcaster Percy Lapid.

Interviewed on GMA News’ Unang Balita, PNP spokesperson Police Colonel Jean Fajardo said the current evidence showed that Bantag was the supposed “backstop”.

“Bukas pa rin naman ang PNP kung saka-sakaling during the conduct of the preliminary investigation and sa actual trial at maisampa na officially sa korte itong kaso na ito at may lalabas pong ebidensiya pa na magtuturo sa iba pang tao na may kinalaman sa dalawang kaso na ito ay maaari naman po tayong magsampa ng supplemental complaint,” she said.

(The PNP is still open in case during the conduct of the preliminary investigation, actual trial, official filing of the case, new evidence would indicate that more people are involved in these two cases, we can file a supplemental complaint.

Fajardo made the statement when asked about the remark of Lapid’s brother Roy Mabasa that he wished to ensure that there were no more individuals behind the killing.

On Tuesday, the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) said it is still not discounting the possibility that there may be a more powerful mastermind than Bantag.

NBI supervising agent Atty. Eugene Javier said they have been receiving intelligence reports about another supposed mastermind, but he said he cannot divulge this information which has yet to be verified.

Southern Police District director Police Brigadier General John Kirby Kraft however said former President Rodrigo Duterte was not among the 160 persons of interest in Lapid's killing.

Around 160 personalities—including politicians, military, and police officials—were considered persons of interest after investigators reviewed numerous postings in which Lapid called them out in his radio program.

“Nega na po ‘yan (That is a negative),” Kraft told GMA News Online when asked if Duterte was among the POIs.

Mabasa said his family was wondering if Duterte was one of the 160 persons of interest being considered by the PNP.

"Sa amin lang pag-iisip ay gusto lang rin namin malaman kung sino ba 'yung 160 persons of interest na 'yun. Kasama ba diyan si Ginoong Duterte?" he said.

(In our mind, we wanted to know who these 160 persons of interest are. Is Mr. Duterte among them?)

“Kasi maraming tinalakay si Ka Percy. Kung 160 programs ‘yung pinanood nu'ng PNP para pagbasehan ‘yung persons of interest, sigurado ako na maraming pangalan naka-include diyan. Maaring kasama ‘yung pangalan diyan ni Ginoong Duterte,” he added.

(Ka Percy discussed a lot of things. If the PNP reviewed 160 programs to get the names of persons of interest, I'm sure many names would be there. Mr. Duterte's could be one of them.)

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

On Monday, the PNP and the NBI filed murder complaints against Bantag, BuCor deputy security officer Ricardo Zulueta, and others in relation to the killing of Lapid and alleged middleman Cristito Villamor Palaña also known as Jun Villamor.

The NBI on Wednesday said Bantag and Zulueta are still in the Philippines.

“We’re trying to secure a precautionary hold departure order through the cooperation of the prosecutor. Although we have information that both people are still in the country,” Javier told ANC.

Meanwhile, Fajardo said the remaining 5% of the investigation in the Lapid case involves the financial investigation by the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC).

Preliminary findings from AMLC earlier confirmed that there was P550,000 transferred to the bank account of self-confessed gunman Joel Escorial.

Escorial earlier told police that he received P550,000 through bank transfer after killing Lapid.

Lapid, a hard-hitting radio commentator, was shot dead in Las Piñas City, on October 3.

The PNP on Tuesday vowed to bring justice to 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. —KG, GMA Integrated News