Percy Lapid case archived with Bantag still missing

The pursuit of justice in the killing of broadcaster Percy Lapid has ground to a halt after the court hearing the case ordered it archived.

On Monday, the Las Piñas City Regional Trial Court ordered the archiving of the murder case against former Bureau of Corrections chief Gerald Bantag in connection with the 2022 killing of broadcaster Percy Lapid.

The court said Bantag’s case, who has gone into hiding since charges were filed against him, will be reopened only once he is captured or surrenders to authorities.

The order was issued by the Las Piñas RTC, citing a lack of progress due to the continued absence of the main accused.

Judge Cesar Huliganga of Branch 254 ruled to shelve the proceedings against Bantag and his former deputy security officer, Ricardo Zulueta, according to a statement from Lapid’s brother, journalist Roy Mabasa.

In Zulueta’s case, the court proceedings were hampered by his family’s repeated refusal to allow DNA testing on remains believed to be his, preventing definitive confirmation of his identity.

But the primary focus of the court’s order remains on Bantag, who has been in hiding for nearly three years.

The assassination of Percy Lapid — whose real name was Percival Mabasa — in October 2022 sparked public outrage and shone a spotlight on alleged corruption and criminal networks within the country’s penitentiary system.

A commentator for DWBL radio, Lapid was known for his program “Lapid Fire,” where he was a vocal critic of fake news, red-tagging, and government corruption.

The journalist was shot and killed on 3 October 2022 while on his way home in Las Piñas City. Bantag went into hiding shortly after the Department of Justice indicted him.