Percy case update: Subpoenas out for Bantag, et al.

The Department of Justice will issue subpoenas on Monday to suspended Bureau of Corrrrections chief Gerald Bantag and several others implicated in the deaths of broadcaster Percival Mabasa, popularly known as Percy Lapid, and alleged middleman Jun Villamor.

This was disclosed Sunday by lawyer Mico Clavano, DoJ assistant secretary and spokesperson.

The respondents will be required to appear during the preliminary investigation and file their respective counter-affidavits.

The National Bureau of Investigation and the Philippine National Police have earlier filed two murder complaints against Bantag, his deputy security chief Ricardo Zulueta and several inmates.

The cases were filed after the NBI and PNP secured inmates who provided essential information that helped the investigation.

Charged with the murder of Lapid were Bantag, Zulueta, inmates Denver Batungbakal Mayores, Alvin Cornista Labra, Aldrin Micosa Galicia and Alfie Penaredonda.

Charged with Villamor's murder were Bantag, Zulueta, and inmates Labra, Galicia, Mario Germones Alvarez, Joseph Medel Georfo, Christam Dizon Ramac, Ricky Lamigo Salgado, Ronnie Pabustan de la Cruz and Joel Alog Reyes.

Face the music, Bantag told

Veteran journalist Roy Mabasa, the brother of the slain broadcaster, defended the investigation conducted by the NBI and PNP, saying that Bantag panicked when confessed gunman Joel Escorial named Villamor as the alleged middleman.

"There is nothing wrong with the investigation. They did not expect the gunman to spill the beans," said Mabasa in a telephone interview.

He alleged that Bantag acted with haste in ordering Villamor's slaying and that he could not silence the gang leaders.

As a result, investigators managed to piece together the narrative of the killings.

Mabasa said Bantag is just muddling the issue by questioning the investigation of the PNP and NBI and putting the blame on a drug lord.

"It's obvious that he is fomenting something to divert the issue and create animosity among the PNP and NBI, but the picture is very clear. Bantag should face the music because the picture was clear some two weeks after the investigation was conducted," he said.

Mabasa said he is thankful to the NBI and PNP for their quick and clear investigation making it possible for the filing of cases within two weeks.

He also lauded the report of the Anti-Money Laundering Council for being very clear in identifying even the person who deposited the money to the bank account of Escorial.

Mabasa urged Zulueta to also come out in the open as his life might be in danger.

Family open to what Bantag will say

The Mabasa family said it is open to what Bantag has to say, according to lawyer Berteni Causing, their spokesperson.

Causing, who appeared in the weekly virtual press forum "Balitaan sa Tinapayan," said the family is open to all possibilities.

"If there is someone behind him, just let us know so we can offer remedies that will exclude him in the cases. That simple," said Causing in Filipino.

The lawyer disclosed that Percy's brother, Roy Mabasa, said they were approached by a third party who hails from Mountain Province requesting a meeting with Bantag.

Mabasa, however, said if there is no concrete information, there is no need for it.

Causing stressed that the Mabasa family wants the meeting to be held in a safe, neutral venue.

"We are afraid of his behavior, the way he talks, the way he dares the government. That speaks volumes for us," he said.

Causing said Bantag can send an emissary that is acceptable to the family.

"We don't want to send an innocent man to jail but all evidence point to him," he said. "But we are not closing the door that there are other people who may be the mastermind above the mastermind," Causing said.