News Roundup 25 October 2022
Oct 25, 2022 • 5 min Read
Percy Lapid case: PNP chief bares receiving info that may lead to mastermind | INQUIRER.NET – Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Rodolfo Azurin Jr. on Tuesday revealed receiving information that may lead to the mastermind behind the fatal ambush of radioman-vlogger Percy Lapid. In a television interview, Azurin was asked about the information shared by Jose Villamor, a supposed relative of Cristito Palaña (previously identified as Jun or Crisanto Villamor) who was secured by police after reports surfaced that Palaña was already dead. Both Jose Villamor and Cristito Palana – the alleged “middleman” or “broker” in Percy Lapid’s assassination – were inmates at the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) or Bilibid, but the former had been turned over to the PNP Custodial Center in Camp Crame, Quezon City. “There are revelations that were given to us […] but at this time, we are not at liberty to start revealing what those are because we really need to come up with the definite investigative [pieces of evidence] before we reveal it as it might jeopardize the ongoing investigation,” Azurin, speaking in a mix of English and Filipino, told ABS-CBN News’ Headstart. While Azurin opted to keep further details under wraps in order to protect the PNP’s ongoing investigation, he confirmed “there is information that is leading to whoever is the suspected mastermind dito po sa investigation natin (in our investigation).” He likewise did not disclose the role Jose Villamor played in the murder of Lapid, who was gunned down last October 3 in his neighborhood. Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla earlier said Jose Villamor – currently considered a person of interest in the case – “may be a witness, who may know about the persons involved from inside the Bilibid.” Azurin also guaranteed that the PNP would also coordinate with the National Bureau of Investigations to seek information from Palaña’s sister, alias “Marisa.” Marisa had sought help from authorities and claimed that her brother had apparently revealed to her the people behind the killing of Lapid, whose real name was Percival Mabasa. Azurin said Jose Villamor and Christopher Bacoto – the other supposed middleman currently secured at a Bureau of Jail Management and Penology facility – were being helpful to their investigation. “There’s cooperation doon po sa mga nasa kustodiya namin kaya lang siyempre, medyo unti-unti po iyong pagbibigay nila ng information because definitely, there might be something holding them back to reveal other information like for example, iyong security po ng kanilang family, iyong security po ng immediate family and loved ones nila,” he added. (There’s cooperation from those under our custody but of course, they would only gradually give information because definitely, there might be something holding them back to reveal other information like for example, the security of their family, their immediate family and loved ones.) Palaña and Bacoto were implicated by confessed gunman Joel Escorial as the alleged conspirators in Lapid’s brutal murder.
Hontiveros says Percy Lapid’s family is fearful and needs greater protection INQUIRER.NET – Senator Risa Hontiveros appealed Tuesday for greater protection for the family of slain broadcaster Percival Mabasa, popularly known as Percy Lapid. Hontiveros visited the Mabasa family on Monday, October 24, and was told that they have been receiving threats and harassment since the radioman-vlogger died in a fatal ambush last October 3. “Nangangamba ang buong pamilya ni Percy. Ang mga anak ni Percy ay pinapadalhan ng mga pambabanta sa Facebook o sa personal nilang mga cellphone numbers. May isang nakatanggap pa ng text message na sinabing siya na ang susunod,” the senator said in a statement. (Percy’s whole family is worried. The children of Percy get threats on Facebook or their personal cellphone numbers. One even received a text message, saying that he/she will be the next.) Stressing that the mastermind in the killing of Lapid remains at large, Hontiveros pushed for more security for the family.
Sister of ‘middleman’ in Percy Lapid slay now under witness protection | PHILSTAR.COM – The sister of one of the alleged middlemen in the killing of broadcaster Percy Lapid is now under the witness protection program after she shared with authorities information that could point to those behind the death of her brother. Department of Justice spokesperson Jose Dominic Clavano IV told reporters Tuesday that they saw a “risk to her life” due to the information she has which she divulged in a meeting with Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla. “We determined that there is indeed a risk to her life so we immediately entered her into the witness protection program and brought her to a temporary shelter,” Clavano said in Filipino. Villamor’s sister initially came forward and sought the help of Sen. Raffy Tulfo for protection as she claimed to have names of three people who may be behind the death of her brother, who was also identified Cristito by police investigators. Villamor’s sister told Tulfo in his radio program “Wanted sa Radyo” that her brother messaged her on Facebook Messenger at 11:59 a.m. on October 18, just a few hours before his declared time of death, to bare the names of three inmates who should be investigated should he die. Clavano said this information is “relevant and it poses a threat to her life.” But he added that it is “yet to be seen” whether these claims by Villamor’s sister are credible as they are still verifying them. “All these are allegations as of now. so we have to verify, we have to vet,” Clavano said.
