AMLC confirms P550K deposited to Percy killer’s account
Escorial claimed the P550,000 was split six ways, he got his share of P140,000 which he deposited in his bank account.
Daily TribuneEscorial claimed the P550,000 was split six ways, he got his share of P140,000 which he deposited in his bank account.
Financial intelligence agency Anti-Money Laundering Council provided the biggest breakthrough in the killing of broadcaster Percy Lapid as it confirmed the P550,000 paid to the confessed hitman Joel Escorial.
Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin "Boying" Remulla, yesterday, said the AMLC confirmation validated the narration of Escorial about the plot to kill Lapid was "accurate."
Remulla said based on AMLC's investigation, Escorial told the truth about the total P550,000 deposited in his account made through several transactions for several days.
Escorial, out of fear for his life, surrendered to Interior and Local Government Secretary Benhur Abalos last 18 October after seeing his face on television.
Five other suspects, brothers Edmun Dimaculangan and Israel Dimaculangan, "Orly," and two John Does, are still at large and the subject of a manhunt.
Escorial said he rode with Orly, a resident of Batangas, on a motorcycle, during the incident, adding that the Dimaculangan brothers were on another motorcycle as backup.
He said the group had agreed that the nearest among them to Lapid whichever road the broadcaster passes will conduct the hit.
Since Lapid's car drove by nearest to his team, Escorial was the designated shooter. "They said if I will not do it, they will kill me, so I shot Percy," Escorial said when presented by Abalos last 18 October.
Escorial recounted the P550,000 was split six ways, he got his share of P140,000 which he deposited in his bank account.
Lapid, whose real name is Percival Mabasa and the host of the online commentary program "Percy Lapid Fire" on DWBL 1242 and columnist for Hataw, was shot dead while on his way home in Barangay Talon Dos, Las Piñas City, on 3 October.
Remulla said the investigation is trying to establish more of Escorial's cohorts in the slaying of Lapid.
"We are trying to filter leads on the participation of more people. We may have a list of belated suspects that will be established in the investigation," Remulla said.
Nearer to closing case
"In terms of investigation, it is 90 percent to 95 percent closed. It's just a matter of having more details brought in. The findings were the product of good investigative work and cooperation between the NBI and police," he said.
Remulla said the NBI will file a complaint on Monday against more suspects, adding that he is confident that the evidence they gathered will hold in court.
Remulla admitted the case the investigators built up is "not as perfect as you want it to be but it will hold in court I believe. The standards of reasonable doubt can be met," he indicated.
"We have tied up the loose ends. We wanted to find out more. For the two cases, we have a good handle on it. What we are trying to resolve is the degree of criminal liability, diminished liability as we are still looking at different angles," he added.
Escorial's supplemental affidavit revealed a certain "Bantag" had ordered Lapid's killing, based on what Cristito Villamor Palaña (the middleman who was previously identified as Crisanto or Jun Villamor) told him.
Remulla, commenting on the revelation said he had not read the affidavit. "I have no personal knowledge of that. I don't want to speculate," he added.
Escorial didn't specifically pinpoint the person in his affidavit but the director general of the Bureau of Corrections at that time was Gerald Bantag.
Remulla said it will be up to the NBI to determine if the former BuCor chief is included among those who will be named in the complaint on Monday.
"On Monday, we will all find out," the DoJ chief said.
Remulla cited at least two individuals who may be named as masterminds n the complaint to be filed on Monday.
"Maybe two of them would be considered masterminds," he said.
Remulla added he would not speculate on the possible motive for the killing.
Remulla said there are still other matters to look into, "but as it is now, I think we can lay the matter to rest. Actually on the 30th day on 3 November, we had all the details."