POLICE released on Friday, October 7, 2022, the photo of the alleged suspect in the killing of veteran radio host and columnist Percival Mabasa, popularly known as “Percy Lapid.”
In a press conference, Special Investigation Task Group commander Colonel Restituto Arcangel said a video of the alleged gunman was taken by a closed circuit television camera (CCTV) in front of the Las Piñas City Hall, minutes before the shooting happened.
His cohort, the driver of the motorcycle, was also captured by the dash camera installed in the victims’ vehicle.
“’Yung video na pinakita kanina ‘yung marking nung t-shirt, nag-match yan doon sa nakaangkas na nakuha ng dash cam sa likod ng sasakyan ng biktima seconds before binaril ‘yung biktima,” he said.
(In the video that was shown earlier, the marking on the t-shirt matched the one captured by the dash cam behind the victim's car seconds before the victim was shot.)
“And also nakita doon sa video din kuha doon sa dash cam ‘yung nagdadrive ng motor na kasama niya yun yung lalaking nakaupo doon sa gilid ng kalsada nung papunta ‘yung biktima sa BF Resort Village, so meron tayong pictures jan na nag-match, meron tayong copies ng CCTV to confirm ‘yung matching ng pictures taken before the incident at pictures prior nung umalis ‘yung biktima doon sa bahay niya,” he added.
(And also it was seen in the video that the person driving the motorcycle with him was the man sitting on the side of the road when the victim was going to BF Resort Village, so we have pictures there that match, we have copies of CCTV to confirm the matching of pictures taken before the incident and pictures prior when the victim left his house.)
Mabasa, a “hard-hitting” radio commentator and the host of online broadcast program titled “Percy Lapid Fire” was shot dead around 8:30 p.m. Monday, October 3, at the gate of BF Resort along Aria Street, Barangay Talon 2, Las Piñas City.
Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos said investigators were holding “a lot more evidences” related to the case but they refuse to publicize it yet.
Abalos urged the alleged suspect to surrender for his own safety, as well as for his family.
“Ito po, halos kita niyo na ang mukha niya, ang itsura niya, ang katawan niya, ang built niya. I know malapit na ho ito, konti na lang ito (mahuhuli na),” he said.
(Here, you can almost see his face, his looks, his body, his build. I know, we’re almost there, we’re near to capturing the suspect.)
“Sa taong ito na nasa larawan nito, eto lang ang masasabi ko, marami na nakakaalam sa iyo, marami nagsusumbong, siguro sumuko ka na. Napaka-importante na sumuko ka sapagkat pag isipan mo ‘yung mga nag utos sa iyo, baka may gawing masama sa iyo. Ang pinakamagandang gawin mo sumuko ka at pabayaan mo magtake over na ang kapulisan dito,” he added.
(To the person in this picture, this is all I can say, there are many who know you, many are reporting, maybe you should give up. It is very important that you surrender because think about those who ordered you, maybe someone will do something bad to you. The best thing to do is surrender and let the police take over here.)
Abalos expressed belief that the suspect was a “professional hitman” considering the manner of the shooting.
Mabasa sustained two gunshots in the head that resulted in his instantaneous death.
Southern Police District director Kirby John Kraft said the motive of the killing is still being investigated.
Police said there is currently P1.5 million worth of reward to anyone who can give information about the suspects.
Arcangel said the family was not aware if Mabasa was receiving death threats prior to the incident.
“Ang sabi ng pamilya walang binabanggit na threat sa kanya at ang ugali nitong si Percival Mabasa ay hindi siya nagsasabi sa pamilya kung ano man ang problema niya sa trabaho,” he said.
(The family says there is no mention of any threat, and Percival Mabasa was someone who does not tell the family whatever problems he had at work.)
The National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) headed by Brigadier General Jonnel Estomo has already provided security personnel to Mabasa’s family.
Estomo also ordered the five NCRPO police districts to coordinate closely with the media personalities in their areas of jurisdiction to identify possible threats against them in accordance with the pronouncement of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. to ensure their safety as they perform their duties. (SunStar Philippines)