The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) have filed murder charges against suspended Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) Chief Gerald Bantag and other suspects linked in the slay case of radio broadcaster Percival "Percy Lapid" Mabasa.
In a joint press conference held Monday, Nov. 7, NBI official Atty. Eugene Javier said Bantag and BuCor Directorate for Security and Operations Supt. Ricardo Zulueta were charged as "principals of inducement."
While three persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) identified as Denver Mayores, Alvin Labra, and Aldrin Galicia were charged as "principals by indispencible cooperation for the murder of Percy Lapid."
The NBI official said Bantag, Zulueta, along with the three PDLs were also facing murder charges for the death of Cristito Villamor Palana, the alleged middleman.
"It was found through the investigation that General Bantag and PSO Ricardo Zulueta were behind the killing of both Percy Lapid and Jun Villamor," Javier said.
"The sworn statement of the PDLs shown a clear and direct line of communication from Director General [Gerald Bantag] and SPO Zulueta to Denver Mayores who communicated with Alvin Labra who then coordinated with Alvin Galcia who then orchestrated and executed the killing of Percy Lapid through his gang members and and his gang members contacts on the outside. Ultimately ending with gunman Joel Escolarial and his group," he added.
Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin ‘Boying’ Remulla said a subpoena would be issued to Bantag and Zulueta at their "last known addresses."
He disclosed that Zulueta had been "hiding" and "skipped town" about four to five days ago.
A look-out order would be issued for the two BuCor officials, Remulla added.
Interior Secretary Benjamin 'Benhur' Abalos called out Zulueta to surrender himself.
"Sumuko ka na. Just like netong una na sumuko ang gunman because of the fear of his life. Hindi malayong mangyari sa iyo ito. So you think this over," he said.
Abalos appealed for the public's cooperation to report the whereabouts of Zulueta.
Remulla, meanwhile, claimed that the surrendered contraband by PDLs a week ago already indicated that there is a "criminal organization" inside the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) that has a "centralized purchasing system."
"But how long the presence of the criminal group is, we cannot tell now. We will study it and maybe we can know how long this has been going on. But definitely, there has been criminal activities going on inside the bilibid prison," he added.
