Marcos says probe on Lapid case continues
WHILE authorities have “practically solved in 17 days” the ambush-slay case of broadcaster Percival “Percy Lapid” Mabasa, investigations will continue until “we come to the actual final conclusion of this investigation,” President Marcos Jr said on Wednesday while en route to Cambodia.
The PNP and the NBI on Monday filed murder complaints against several persons, led by Gerard Bantag, suspended chief of the Bureau of Corrections, who has allegedly been tagged by witnesses as mastermind of the October 3 killing.
There are calls for authorities to dig deeper into the case, on the possibility that a more powerful person is behind Bantag. Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla and other officials have said witnesses have so far pointed only to Bantag.
Marcos, asked about the possibility of a more powerful person behind Bantag, said “the investigation is not yet over, so we cannot, we know everything about the case yet.”
He added that he does not want to make any declaration until facts are established.
“The investigation hasn’t stopped. Put it that way. We’re trying to make sure that we know exactly what this is all about. The more we look, the worse it gets,” he told media covering his Cambodia trip.
“This fellow is… masyadong (very) deadly,” he added.
Marcos said the probe would continue amid some “terrible” findings about the supposed involvement of some government officials like Bantag who, he said, was like a “god” in prison.
“Para siyang diyos daw sa loob ng preso (He was like a god inside prison). So we’ll have to look into it (cases) further. There might be more cases. So, let the investigation continue,” he said.
Marcos previously expressed doubts on the cause of death of alleged middleman Jun Villamor who was a detainee at the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) at the time of his death.
Villamor was reportedly the middle man who contacted self-confessed gunman Joel Escorial to kill Lapid. An independent autopsy showed Villamor died by suffocation.
Marcos, asked if it bothered him that Bantag was linked to the crime, said, “Of course, that’s terrible.”
“He established his own fiefdom there in the prison. His actions is with no fear of being punished,” Marcos said in mixed Filipino and English.
He added while authorities have “gotten most of those who are involved,” there are still two or three people who have gone into hiding, including potential witnesses.
Bantag and BuCor deputy security officer Ricardo Zulueta, who has also been charged, are missing.
Marcos reiterated that continuing investigation also aims to determine who really ordered the hit on Lapid.
Marcos expressed belief authorities have done a good job and he expects them to continue doing so until they get to the bottom of the case, including finding out what is really happening inside prisons.
HOPE
Lapid’s brother, Roy Mabasa, said the President’s statement that the probe continues despite the filing of the murder complaints has given hope to the family.
“Hangga’t may natitira pong porsyento sa ginagawa ng NBI at PNP ay hindi po kami titigil. In fact, natuwa nga po kami, kaninang umaga na mismong si Pangulong Marcos ang nagsabi na hindi pa ititigil ang imbestigasyon (We will not stop as long as the investigation of the NBI and the PNP is not yet closed. In fact, we are happy to hear this morning that President Marcos himself said the investigation will continue),” Mabasa told radio dzBB.
Mabasa said it gave them hope that whatever must be revealed will be revealed.
Earlier, the Mabasa family said they are not ruling out the possibility that someone more influential than Bantag is also behind the killing.
CHARGES
The Department of Justice ordered the consolidation of the murder complaints in the killings of Lapid and Villamor with the complaint filed earlier for Lapid’s killing.
The two murder complaints were jointly filed by the NBI and the PNP on Monday against Bantag, Zulueta and several prisoners in the New Bilibid Prison (NBP).
Bantag and Zulueta were tagged as the masterminds or principals in the killing of Lapid and Villamor.
The first murder complaint was filed before the DOJ against Escorial, brothers Edmon and Israel Dimaculangan and one alias Orly or Orlando.
Prosecutor General Benedicto Malcontento announced the creation of a three-member panel of prosecutors to handle the consolidated murder complaints.
Malcontento said Deputy State Prosecutor Olivia Torrevillas will head the panel. Named panel members are Senior Assistant State Prosecutors Josie Christina Dugay and Charlie Guhit. — With Ashzel Hachero
