Fortun wants more tests on Percy case middleman’s remains

Forensic pathologist Dr. Raquel Fortun said she will conduct more tests on the remains of Cristito Villamor, the alleged middleman linked to the killing of radio broadcaster Percy Mabasa, popularly known as Percy Lapid.

Interviewed on television Tuesday, Fortun clarified that the autopsy she conducted earlier was just preliminary.

The Fortun autopsy showed that Villamor died of suffocation due to a plastic bag over his head.

The finding disputes the initial report of the Bureau of Corrections claiming there was no foul play involved because no signs of physical injuries were found on the body.

In contrast, Fortun said her finding was consistent with an affidavit narrating how Villamor was allegedly killed.

She said Villamor has made known that his life was in danger.

"True enough, he died shortly after," Fortun added.

Fortun's findings also showed that the urine sample of Villamor has traces of methamphetamine or shabu.

Earlier, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin "Boying" Remulla said the Department of Justice is in custody of seven people who claimed that Villamor's death was not an accident but planned.

Villamor was tagged as the middleman linked to the slaying of broadcaster Percy Mabasa, widely known as Percy Lapid by confessed gunman Joel Escorial
Lapid was shot dead on 3 October in Las Pinas City.

Fifteen days later, Interior and Local Government Secretary Benhur Abalos presented Escorial who identified several persons involved in the plot to kill Lapid including two middlemen identified as Villamor and Christopher Bacoto, both inmates at the New Bilibid Prison and a jail facility under the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, respectively.

On the same day Escorial was presented, Remulla reported that Villamor died inside his cell.

Meanwhile, Remulla said they are in the process of piecing together testimonies of several people to complete the narrative of the killing of Lapid and Villamor.

Once they complete it, the NBI and PNP will file the case.