Former Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) deputy security officer Ricardo Zulueta, who was tagged in the killings of radio broadcaster Percival "Percy Lapid" Mabasa and alleged middleman Jun Villamor, is alive and not hiding.

This was pronounced by his legal counsel Lauro Gacayan in a Facebook post on Friday.

"News reports on TV quoted the DOJ Spokesman as saying Col. Zulueta is already abroad in hiding or possibly dead already. I believe that like their earlier allegation against [BuCor Director] Gen. [Gerald] Bantag that he is 'in hiding' is because the people in Baguio told him "MATAGO TAGO KA GENERAL", they are again misled this time," Gacayan wrote as he shared photos of him together with Zulueta in a law office.

He said someone might spread misinformation that he had coffee with his client in his law office located at Pennsylvania Ave., San Francisco, hence the news that Zulueta flew abroad.

Gacayan clarified that his law office is in San Fernando City, La Union and not in San Francisco.

"Just want to be clear about it. My client is not in hiding abroad or already dead!!!" the lawyer further said.

On Nov. 7, authorities filed two murder charges against Bantag and Zulueta for the death of Lapid and Zulueta.

In the previous preliminary probe scheduled last Dec. 5, only Bantag appeared before the justice department in Manila and submitted his counter-affidavit.