The Department of Justice (DOJ) has indicted suspended Bureau of Correction (BuCor) Chief Gerald Bantag over the murder of radio broadcaster Percival Mabasa or popularly known as Percy Lapid.
In the resolution dated March 9 but released only to the media on Tuesday, BuCor deputy security officer Ricardo Zulueta, who is also tagged as the mastermind behind Lapid's murder, is also indicted.
The DOJ panel of prosecutors also found probable cause to indict self-confessed gunman Joel Escorial, Israel Dimaculangan, Edmon Dimaculangan, alias Orly or Orlanda, and three persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) identified as Denver Mayores, Alvin Labra, and Aldrin Galicia.
Meanwhile, it also indicted Bantag, Zulueta, and Galicia, who are tagged as the alleged masterminds for the killing of alleged middleman Cristito 'Jun' Villamor.
The justice department also found probable cause to indict the following PDLs who are tagged as principals by direct participation in Villamor's killing:
- Mario Alvarez Germones
- Joseph Georfo aias 'Jurpo'
- Christian Ramac Dizon alis 'Jokon'
- Ricky Salgado Lamigo alis 'Lupin'
- Ronnie Dela Cruz Pabustan
- Joel Reyes Alog alias 'Puppet'
"Accordingly, the Panel of Prosecutors recommends the approval of the two corresponding information in the above-entitled case," the order reads.
Lapid was shot dead in his vehicle by self-confessed gunman Joel Escorial in October last year.
Escorial gunned him down while he was entering the Santa Cecilia gate of BF Resort Village in Las Piñas City where he was supposed to film his hard-hitting radio program “Lapid Fire.”
