Percy case: 2nd ‘middleman’ denies knowing gunman

The Department of Justice has given four individuals, including the alleged second middleman, until Friday to file their counter-affidavits in connection with the death of broadcaster Percival Lapid.

Christopher Bacoto, the other middleman tagged by Joel Escorial, has denied knowing the confessed gunman.

This was disclosed Saturday night by Salvador Quimpo, Bacoto's lawyer, during a television interview.

"He (Bacoto) was surprised, he did not know him," Quimpo said.

Bacoto is now under the custody of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology.

In a supplemental affidavit he submitted, Escorial said Bacoto was his childhood friend in Leyte. He said Bacoto is also called "Yoyoy" in the province.

Escorial claimed that Bacoto, who also used the name "Jerry Sandoval," was calling him every night using different cellphone numbers.

Last 28 September, the confessed gunman said Bacoto called to get updates on the alleged contract killing in which he replied there was nothing to report as they were still trying to figure out how to get at Lapid.

Escorial said also gave Bacoto P70,000 from the P550,000 he received for the contract to kill Lapid depositing it in an account of a certain woman.

The gunman also presented a transaction slip dated 5 October that allegedly showed the deposit.

Also allowed to file counter-affidavits are three persons still at large, brothers Israel and EdmonDimaculangan, and a certain "Orlando." They were named by Escorial as part of the team contracted to kill Mabasa, also known as Percy Lapid.

Justice Assistant Secretary and spokesperson Mico Clavano said the 13 Bureau of Correction inmates who are now under National Bureau of Investigation custody may stay at the bureau even during the duration of the trial, if needed, to address security concerns.

"But we will take measures. And we've also been bargaining with them to ensure they're safe. We care about their safety obviously to preserve the integrity of the investigation," the spokesperson added.

Meanwhile, the Department of Justice is set to file consolidated murder cases against Escorial and several others in connection with the deaths of Mabasa and alleged middleman Cristito Villamor Monday.

Expressing satisfaction with the progress of the investigation, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla disclosed that the NBI and the Philippine National Police have been closely working on the cases to be filed with more persons to be added in the charge sheet.

Danilo Pelagio, counsel for the family of Mabasa, said he is expecting the consolidation of the cases, including a murder complaint in connection with the mysterious death Villamor.

Villamor, who had been serving time since 2019 for murder, frustrated murder and violation of an election gun ban, supposedly relayed the order to kill Lapid to Escorial.

The middleman died inside the New Bilibid Prison Hospital in Muntinlupa on 18 October, just hours after Escorial was presented to the media.

A report from the Bureau of Corrections said Villamor was brought to the NBP Hospital around 1:30 p.m. after he was found unconscious at his prison dorm inside the maximum security compound.

An autopsy conducted by forensic pathologist Dr. Raquel Fortun showed that Villamor died of suffocation after a plastic bag was placed over his head.

"Based on available information regarding the circumstances surrounding the death, the manner is homicide," Fortun said in her report.