DoJ starts probe on Percy Lapid murder case

The Department of Justice on Monday begins its preliminary investigation on the murder complaint filed against the confessed killer and three alleged accomplices in the killing of broadcaster Percy Mabasa, popularly known as Percy Lapid, last 3 October.

The probe is set at 10 a.m.

Named in the complaint are Joel Escorial, the alleged gunman, brothers Edmon and Israel Dimaculangan, and a third person, known only as "Orly" or "Orlando."

It is uncertain if two other persons also named by Escorial are included in the complaint filed by the Philippine National Police.

Except for the confessed killer, all three suspects are still at large.

In his affidavit executed during the inquest proceeding last 18 October in the presence of a private counsel, Escorial "voluntarily reaffirmed his affidavit (extra-judicial confession) admitting among others, the killing of Lapid."

Escorial said a certain Crisanto Palana Villamor from the National Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa hired him to kill the hard-hitting commentator.

"He acknowledged that on 3 October 2022, at around 8:30 p.m., in Aria Street, Sta. Cecilia Village, Barangay Talon Dos, Las Piñas City, he shot Lapid three times using a caliber .45 pistol, and that he was accompanied by Israel Adao Dimaculangan, Edmon Adao Dimaculangan and a certain alias Orly/Orlando," the DoJ said.

It added: "They planned and executed the same upon the inducement or order of a certain Crisanto Palana Villamor, also known as 'Idoy,' who promised to pay them P550,000."

Escorial also named a certain Christopher Bacoto, also known as Jerry Sandoval, as the one who instructed the three others to join and help Escorial in killing Lapid.

Bacoto is now under the custody of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology custody, awaiting the resolution of a drug case.

A few hours after Escorial was presented to the media by Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos on 18 October, Villamor, the alleged middleman, died while in detention.

Two days later, Escorial identified Villamor through photos taken of his body while in the morgue. He said he has had past dealings with the late middleman.

On Saturday, the National Bureau of Investigation ruled out foul play, citing an autopsy report revealing no gunshot wound or any external physical injury.

"The heart showed a hemorrhagic area over the left ventricle. The mitral valve is scierotic which could indicate previous illnesses or valvular infection," the memo provided by Justice Secretary Crispin Remulla.

Meanwhile, Bureau of Correction deputy director general Gabriel Chaclag confirmed that there were two Villamors before and on the day Lapid was killed.

Chaclag identified the inmates as Jun Globa Villamor, the dead middleman, and Jose Palana Villamor who are cousins.

The surviving Villamor was transferred to the PNP Custodial Center.

Lapid's death has led to the relief of BuCor director general Gerald Bantag.

Remulla said the preventive suspension of Bantag was on orders of President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. "to preclude the possibility of exerting undue influence or pressure on the witnesses… or tampering of documentary evidence…."

Escorial did not say how he was contacted, although Remulla disclosed the widespread corruption inside the NBP that included the sale of mobile phones between P300,000 and P500,000.

Also part of the investigation is the source of the money.

More funds for witness protection

In a related development, Surigao del Sur Rep. Johnny Pimentel urged Congress to allocate a bigger budget for the Department of Justice's Witness Protection, Security and Benefit Program in light of the recent spike in violent crimes, including the contract killing of Lapid.

Although the WPSBP seems to be working well, Pimentel said the program still needs support, such as greater funding to extend highly improved financial, relocation, and livelihood assistance to witnesses.

"This way, we can encourage more witnesses to cooperate in law enforcement investigations and judicial proceedings without fearing not only reprisals but also without fearing economic dislocation," said Pimentel, House Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability vice chairperson.

Pimentel, however, stressed that the WPSBP should build more safe houses to lodge witnesses and, if necessary, allow them to stay with their families, stressing that the program presently has just 48 hideouts nationwide.

Remulla earlier said he is "open" to the possible inclusion of Escorial in the witness protection program.

The WPSBP has an allocation of only P238 million in the proposed 2023 General Appropriations Act.

According to the solon, the program covered 512 witnesses by the end of 2021, up from 490 at the end of 2020.

Covered witnesses have aided in the prosecution of dozens of high-profile criminal cases, including the kidnapping and murder of South Korean businessman Jee Ick-Joo, the hazing death of University of Santo Tomas law student Horacio Castillo, the Maguindanao massacre, and the murders of Kian de los Santos, Carl Arnaiz and Reynaldo de Guzman — three teenagers who became victims of Duterte's war on drugs.

@tribunephl_alvi
@tribunephl_eao