PHILIPPINE National Police (PNP) Officer-In-Charge Lieutenant General Rhodel Sermonia said concerned police units were coordinating closely with the jail facility where the alleged “middleman” in the killing of veteran radio broadcaster Percy Lapid is detained.
In a radio interview on Thursday, October 20, 2022, Sermonia said the Special Investigation Task Group created for the conduct of in-depth investigation on the incident is ensuring the safety of the middleman.
He refused to identify the jail facility, which is in Metro Manila, as it will jeopardize the ongoing investigation.
However, he said the person is still undergoing trial pending the court’s decision to his case related to illegal drugs. This meant the person is not yet convicted and he is not yet in the New Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa.
Sermonia said investigators do not consider him yet as the mastermind of Lapid’s execution as someone can still be behind him.
On Tuesday, October 18, Joel Escorial who surrendered to the police and admitted being the person who shot Lapid, which resulted in his instantaneous death in October 3 in Las Piñas, said the mission order came from someone inside the Bilibid.
Following a crime scene walk through, Lapid’s brother Roy Mabasa said Escorial’s story is believable, noting he was able to answer the critical questions they had regarding the killing.
In a separate interview, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said Escorial may be placed under the Witness Protection Program.
"That's very possible. Kung talagang 'yun lang ang paraan para matapos natin ang kaso, considered po 'yan. 'Yan po'y napag-uusapan at 'yan po ay talaga namang dadaan din sa scrutiny ng court," he said.
(That's very possible. If that's the only way to solve this case, that is considered. That has already been discussed and will have to pass the scrutiny of the court.)
Remulla said Escorial’s claim that the person who ordered them to kill Lapid is inside the Bilibid is still being investigated. (SunStar Philippines)