A conspiracy hatched behind prison walls? This is what the Philippine police investigation into the death of Filipino journalist Percival Mabasa, says Percy Lapid, seems to reveal. The head of the prison administration of the archipelago, Gerald Bantag, one of his assistants, Ricardo Zulueta, as well as ten other people would be involved, indicates the site Rappler, citing police information.
Gerald Bantag was suspended on October 21, from the first suspicions of his involvement, in order to allow the investigation to move forward. The police were able to count on the confessions of one of the murderers, Joel Escorial.
This denier confessed to having participated, on Monday, October 3 in the suburbs of Manila, in the assassination of Percival Mabasa. The radio journalist was known for his show, Lapid Fire, in which he openly criticized the policy of former President Rodrigo Duterte but also those close to the new head of state, Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
A rotten prison system
Gerald Bantag and Ricardo Zulueta are charged with two murders, police said. Because, in addition to that of the journalist, the authorities also suspect them of being involved in the death of Jun Villamor. This man, killed by asphyxiation inside the New Bilibid prison, where he was serving his sentence, is suspected of having served as an intermediary in the murder of the journalist.
According to the police and the Ministry of Justice, the motivations of the director of the penitentiary administration are quite clear, both “Percy Lapid constantly attacked him during his show”, highlighted Rappler. Regarding the death of Jun Villamor, it would be to cover that of the journalist.
“The death of the journalist reveals how rotten the prison system is given the number of people in custody involved in this murder – at least 13”, note Rappler.
The lawyer and spokesperson for the journalist’s family, Berteni Causing, does not rule out “that there may be other sponsors”.