Lapid case: Cops pursue person seen on CCTV

Police released Friday the photo of a person of interest in the killing of radio broadcaster Percy Lapid as the reward money for anyone who can help identify the killers was raised to P1.5 million.

Department of the Interior and Local Government Secretary Bejamin "Benhur" Abalos Jr. and National Capital Region Police Office Acting Regional Director Brig. Gen. Jonnel C. Estomo urged the person of interest caught on a CCTV camera to come forward when they presented the photo to reporters at the NCRPO Bicutan office.

Abalos Jr. warned the "person of interest" that those who masterminded the killing may try to get rid of him.

The man in the photo shown during the press briefing appear to bear resemblance to the backrider of the riding in tandem that shot dead the hard-hitting journalist of DWBL 1242 radio station while he was driving home along Aria Street in Sta. Cecilia Village, Barangay Talon Dos, Las Piñas City on Monday night.

During the briefing, Abalos and Estomo also revealed the plate number of a black Toyota Innova — NGS 8294 — which may be involved in the ambush and urged anyone who can find it to report it to any of the following police hotlines: 09474622859 or 09985987928 for Smart and 88027935 or 85258403 for PLDT landlines.

Earlier, Abalos offered a cash reward of P500,000 to anyone who can help solve the murder case but friends of the victim and concerned citizens added P1 million to the offered amount as of Friday.

Meanwhile, Estomo directed all police district directors and chiefs in Metro Manila to initiate a dialogue with all journalists, broadcasters and media practitioners in their respective areas to determine imminent threats they face, if any, and address their security concerns accordingly.

"This is to preempt similar event from happening in the future," Estomo said referring to Lapid's killing.

"We acknowledge the risks involved in the job of our media friends, hence we are duty bound to protect them," he said.