The Department of Justice (DOJ) confirmed the sentencing of three Bilibid gang leaders to prison terms of up to eight years.
The verdict came after they pleaded guilty to accessories to the murder of veteran broadcaster Percival "Percy Lapid" Mabasa in October 2022.
The individuals held accountable for their involvement in the crime are inmates Aldrin Galicia, Alvin Labra, and Alfie Peñaredonda.
Galicia led the Sputnik Gang, while Labra and Peñaredonda were associated with the BCJ Gang and HappyGoLucky Gang, respectively.
Roy Mabasa, the brother of the late broadcaster, expressed his satisfaction with the court's decision, sharing the update through a Twitter post.
LAS PIÑAS CITY RTC Judge Harold Hulinganga sentenced three inmates Aldrin Galicia, Alvin Labra & Alfie Peñaredonda from 2 years up to 8 years imprisonment for their roles as accessories to murder broadcaster Percival Mabasa, also known as #PercyLapid, last October 3, 2022.
— ROY MABASA (@roymabasa) June 23, 2023
Meanwhile, Justice Assistant Secretary Mico Clavano commented on the development of the case.
“This is a very welcome development... They are not only doing this for the case but for themselves as well. It is a mitigating circumstance to plead guilty which will lessen their sentence for this crime,” he said.
However, the DOJ emphasized that their pursuit of justice goes beyond these convictions.
The agency remains committed to ensuring that the principal orchestrators, the masterminds behind the murders, either plead guilty or face conviction.
The tragic incident unfolded when unidentified gunmen on motorcycles ambushed and fatally shot Percy Lapid inside his vehicle on October 3 near the entrance of a subdivision in Barangay Talon Dos, Las Piñas City.
A month later, the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) filed murder complaints against suspended Bureau of Corrections chief Gerald Bantag, Deputy Security Officer Ricardo Zulueta, and alleged middleman Jun Villamor, all held responsible for the broadcaster's killing.
Unfortunately, Gerald Bantag and Ricardo Zulueta are still at large.
In an effort to expedite their capture, the DOJ has offered a reward to facilitate the gathering of information leading to their apprehension.
