Percy Lapid case: Bilibid inmates get 2 to 8 years as accessories

A Las Piñas Regional Trial Court has sentenced three inmates at the New Bilibid Prison to two to eight years in prison as accessories in the murder of broadcaster Percy Lapid.

According to Lapid's brother Roy Mabasa, Branch 254 meted the prison sentence on Aldrin Galicia, Alvin Labra, and Alfie Peñaredonda.

They were initially indicted for murder as principals by direct participation.

Atty. Danny Pelagio, legal counsel of the Mabasa family, said Galicia, Labra, and Peñaredonda pleaded guilty to a lesser offense in a plea bargain agreement.

"This is a very welcome development. They are not only doing this for the case but for themselves as well," Department of Justice spokesman Atty. Mico Clavano said.

"It is a mitigating circumstance to plead guilty which will lessen their sentence for this crime," he added.

Clavano said the DOJ won't stop with the sentencing of the inmates.

"We would like to see their principal, the brains behind the murders, plead guilty or convicted. That is the only time we can say that Justice has been served," Clavano said.

Mabasa said it was a welcome development "but the case is barely starting."

"Long way to go,” Mabasa told GMA Integrated News.

Clear line of communication

Authorities have said that there was a clear line of communication from alleged masterminds former Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) chief Gerald Bantag and former deputy officer Ricardo Zulueta to inmate Denver Mayores, then Mayores to Labra, and Labra who coordinated with Galicia.

Galicia allegedly orchestrated and executed the killing of Lapid through his gang members and his gang members’ contacts outside the NBP, leading to the participation of alleged gunman Joel Escorial and his accomplices.

Lapid was shot dead in Las Piñas City on October 3, 2022. 

An alleged middleman in the plot to kill him, inmate Jun Villamor died, at the New Bilibid Prison on October 18.

Millions in rewards

An autopsy by forensic pathologist Dr. Raquel Fortun showed the remains of Villamor to have a “history of asphyxia by plastic bag suffocation.”

The DOJ is offering a P2 million reward for information that will lead to the arrest of Bantag and P1 million that will lead to the same for Zulueta.

The prosecutors in March filed murder charges against Bantag and Zulueta over the killings of Lapid and Jun Villamor, another inmate who was an alleged middle man in the plot to kill the broadcaster.

Prosecutors said that the death of Villamor was intertwined with the death of Lapid and that it was used to cover up Lapid’s death.

The DOJ said "sufficient circumstantial evidence has been presented to establish that he masterminded the assassination" of Lapid, whose real name is Percival Mabasa.

Bantag has repeatedly denied any involvement in Lapid's killing.

‘Lapid Fire’

The broadcaster, whose real name was Percival Mabasa, was the host of the online broadcast program "Percy Lapid Fire" at DWBL 1242 and a columnist for Hataw.

A relative of the victim said Lapid was on his way home to do an online broadcast at the time of the incident.

However, before reaching home, Lapid was shot several times by the two suspects who followed him.

Based on a police report from the Las Piñas City Police, the victim was onboard his vehicle when the SUV of one of the suspects suddenly bumped the rear portion of his SUV.

The other suspect onboard a motorcycle shot the victim and fled to an unknown direction, police said. —NB, GMA Integrated News