Bureau of Correction (BuCor) Chief Gerald Bantag was preventively suspended for 90 days to ensure an independent investigation on the slay case of late radio broadcaster Percival ‘Percy Lapid’ Mabasa, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin ‘Boying’ Remulla announced on Friday, Oct. 21.
In a press conference, Remulla said the suspension was ordered by President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr. to guarantee a “fair and impartial investigation“ and to remove the public’s doubts on the administration's work.
“At the same time, he asked me to appoint an OIC [officer-in-charge] in the New Bilibid,“ he added.
Remulla said that he appointed former chief of staff of the Philippine Military Gregorio Catapang Jr. as the new BuCor OIC.
On Thursday, Remulla announced that the alleged middleman named Crisistito Palaña Villamor, 42, who is an inmate of the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) had died on Tuesday, Oct. 18.
The middleman reportedly died just one day after the gunman, identified as Joel Escorial who surrendered to the authorities, was presented to the public and confessed that the "mastermind" was inside the Bilibid.
Remulla said the alleged middleman was brought to the NBP hospital due to "loss of consciousness" but was pronounced dead upon his arrival.
The justice chief said they are still awaiting the final autopsy result from the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI).
Interior Secretary Benjamin ‘Benhur’ Abalos Jr., meanwhile, expressed his dismay at the death of the alleged middleman. He vowed to hold people accountable once there is a “foul play“ on the autopsy report.
The family of Percy Lapid was also saddened by the “mysterious death“ of Villamor.
