As this column anticipated and pointed out several times, the authorities engaged in investigating the murder of a radio commentator were zeroing in on suspended Bureau of Corrections Director General Gerald Bantag as the mastermind, or as absurdly referred to, one of the two masterminds.

They filed two murder charges against BuCor Director for Security and Operations Ricardo Zulueta and Bantag, for the killing of the broadcaster and the alleged middleman. Included in the criminal complaints are three other prison gang leaders and other seven named PDLs (persons deprived of liberty).

Specifically, inmates Denver Batungbakal, Mayores Alvin Cornista Labra, Aldrin Micosia Galicia, and Alfie Peñaredonda are charged with killing Percy Lapid (real name Percival Mabasa), while inmates Mario Germonez Alvarez, Joseph Medel Georfo, Christam Dizon Ramac, Ricky Lamigo Salgado, Ronnie Pabustan de la Cruz, Joel Alog Reyes, together with Labra and Galicia, are charged with murder of Villamor.

As explained by the spokesman of the Department of Justice, in the press briefing last Monday (7 November) attended by DoJ Secretary Jesus Crispin "Boying" Remulla, PNP Chief General Rodolfo S. Azurin, Jr., and National Bureau of Investigation Director Medardo De lemos, the plot to kill the radioman was made in a labyrinth of incredulous stages that strains the imagination. As accurately captured by news writer Neil Jayson Servallos of the Philippine Star who wrote about it, a pertinent portion of which we quote below, to wit:

"Based on the timeline of the kill contract mapped by the DoJ, Bantag allegedly gave the order to kill Lapid and tasked Zulueta to lay down the instructions on how to deliver the hit. "

"Zulueta then gave instructions to Mayores, Bantag's alleged trusted aide detained at the Iwahig Prison in Palawan, who subsequently cascaded the orders to Batang City Jail gang leader Labra."

"Labra then contacted Sputnik leader Galicia who tasked Villamor, a supposed member of Sputnik, to look for a hitman outside New Bilibid Prison."

"It was at this point that Villamor asked his acquaintance Christopher Bacoto, another middleman being held by the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, for help in looking for a hitman."
"The gunman they found, Joel Escorial, received the instructions and undertook the hit."

"Peñaredonda, commander of the HappyGoLucky prison gang, allegedly served as financier."

"Another timeline on the killing of Villamor showed how Bantag's orders were cascaded in the same order, only this time Galicia cascaded the orders down to Georfo and Alvarez, who then asked Sputnik gang members Ramac, Salgado, De la Cruz, and Reyes to kill Villamor."

"Alias Jocon was the inmate who placed the plastic bag over Villamor's head that suffocated him. Villamor did not struggle."

The theory of the investigators is that General Bantag ordered the two murders. There is nothing in their public presentation of any allegation that any of those facing charges point to Bantag as the one who gave the orders to eliminate Lapid and Villamor. If we are to believe what appears like a movie script, nobody among the respondents has made any statement categorically saying that they participated in the killing of the two upon the orders of Bantag.

What seems to be evident is the linkages start and end with Zulueta. From respondents to Bantag, there is no link. No evidence is presented to show the link between Zulueta and Bantag, assuming that the former gave the instructions to look for the hit man and to execute the crimes.

What may be used, which appears to be an oblique link, is the statement of the confessed gunman Escorial in his supplemental affidavit that he was told by Villamor that the order to kill Lapid came from a "Bantag", but he did not say that the "Bantag" he mentioned is the same Director General Gerald Bantag.

As stated by this writer in the previous column, that supplemental affidavit is questionable if not dubious as it is evidently an afterthought. Escorial had two opportunities to mention "Bantag" in his sworn statement on 17 October 2022 when he surrendered, confessed to the crime, and mentioned names who were involved in the killing, but there was no mention of a Bantag" in the first affidavit.

Then he had another chance when he was presented to the public where he repeated his confession identifying his accomplices, but he failed to mention again the name "Bantag". Moreover, his allegation cannot be corroborated by Villamor because he is already dead, hence a very convenient afterthought or at most, his additional naming of "Bantag" has no probative value because it is hearsay.

The theory of Bantag as the mastermind is a product of speculation arising from the circumstance that Zulueta is a subordinate of Bantag. Speculation is not proof. If the argument is put forward that Bantag has the motive to kill, being the subject of scathing commentaries from the deceased, then there are other 159 persons subjected to the incendiary criticisms of the broadcaster.

If we follow that argument, then all the others have the motive to kill.

If one argues that Bantag has the power and the capacity to execute the murder plan, then the counter-argument would be: The crime lords inside the penitentiary have even greater power and the wherewithal to do just that. Do you want proof of this? Just look at the history of the New Bilibid Prison where many illegal activities have operated. Remember how many drug factories were discovered and dismantled? How the ganglords ruled over that prison kingdom? How they lived ostentatiously with music bands and booze flowing? In there, money talks, and they have plenty of that.

So where is the link?