The prisoner, who was said to be a “middleman” and was expected to be able to point out who was the mastermind behind the killing of broadcaster Percy Lapid, has died in New Bilibid Prison (NBP).
In a report by Saleema Refran on GMA News “24 Oras” this Thursday, it was said that Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla broke the news about the death of the alleged middleman in the killing of Lapid, or Percival Mabasa.
“Nakita namin totoo nga na namatay, may namatay na tao. So immediately it’s really the NBI and the autopsy that’s very important,” said Remulla.
It is said that the said middleman passed away on the afternoon of October 18 at the NBP hospital, a few hours after he complained of difficulty breathing.
The prisoner was identified as Crisanto Palana Villamor Jr.
On the same day, the police presented to journalists Joel Escorial, who surrendered and identified himself as the gunman who shot Lapid.
On that day, Escorial said that someone in Bilibid contracted with them to kill Lapid.
In Escorial’s extrajudicial confession, he said that Villamor, or Idoy, ordered them to kill Lapid in exchange for P550,000.00.
‘Middleman’ in Percy Lapid slay case dies at NBP
A Christopher Bacoto alias Yoyoy, also known as Jerry Sandoval, is said to have spoken to the others who were with him in the killing of Lapid, Israel, and Edmon Dimaculangan, and an alias Orly/Orlando.
A deeper investigation into Villamor and Bacoto has been ordered.
Percy Lapid’s brother, Roy Mabasa, was disappointed by the death of the alleged middleman, who the family hoped would be a bridge to identify the mastermind behind the victim’s murder.
“Ito’y nagpapatunay na mayroong malawakang sabwatan na nangyayari dito sa pagpatay sa aking kapatid. Magiging stumbling block ito du’n sa pag-usad ng kaso. Saan na aabot yung kaso kung walang middleman na magtuturo du’n sa mastermind,” said Roy.
Lapid is the host of the online broadcast program “Percy Lapid Fire” on DWBL 1242 and a columnist for the newspaper Hataw.
Before Estorial surrendered, a reward of P6.5 million was offered to anyone who could point to the suspects in Lapid’s murder.
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