THE Department of Justice may ask forensic pathologist Raquel Fortun to conduct an autopsy on the remains of former Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) official Ricardo Zulueta, tagged as one of the masterminds in the 2022 murder of radio anchor Percival “Percy Lapid” Mabasa, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said yesterday.
Remulla also ordered the National Bureau of Investigation to dig deeper into Zulueta’s reported death.
This after Remulla said the death certificate showed that the cause of death was “cerebrovascular disease intracranial hemorrhage” or bleeding in the heart while media reports claim that Zulueta was brought to a hospital in Bataan by his brother because of severe chest pains, then died shortly after.
Considering all these possibilities and circumstances, Remulla urged the NBI to investigate further into Zulueta’s death and seek a forensic pathologist’s advice if necessary.
“Unravel the truth, leave no stone unturned and don’t let anyone or anything prevent us from pursuing accountability and delivering justice,” Remulla said in a statement.
“To dispel doubts and rumors, once and for all, the DOJ is also contemplating seeking Dr. Raquel Fortun’s expertise to conduct an autopsy on Zulueta’s remains,” he added.
Earlier, the DOJ said the NBI has obtained the fingerprints and photographs of Zulueta with the consent of his wife.
Remulla urged the PNP to share with the department its findings on the cause of Zulueta’s death.
On Monday, the PNP ruled out foul play in Zulueta’s death. It said the 42-year-old Zulueta was rushed by his brother to the Bataan Peninsula Medical Center, where he was declared dead at 11 p.m. on Friday.
Zulueta and former BuCor chief Gerald Bantag were charged with two counts of murder over the deaths of Lapid and Bilibid inmate Cristito Palaña Villamor in October 2022.
Lapid, a hard-hitting radio and online commentator, was gunned down by two men while on his way home to Las Piñas City on Oct. 3, 2022.
Villamor was killed a few days later after being implicated in Lapid’s death by confessed gunman, Joel Escorial.
Zulueta, who had been in hiding since his indictment for the murders of Lapid and Villamor, was believed to be able to directly link Bantag to the killings.
