Percival “Percy Lapid” Mabasa (Facebook screengrab)
MANILA – Authorities can still rebound even if they have lost a vital link to the killing of broadcaster Percival “Percy Lapid” Mabasa after the death of the alleged middleman inside the New Bilibid Prison.
Senators Christopher “Bong” Go and Grace Poe on Friday expressed optimism that law enforcers could bring justice to Mabasa, who was gunned down in Las Piñas on October 3.
"Trabaho na po ng ating kapulisan at ng ating Department of Justice, under po nila ang BuCor (Bureau of Corrections), na tingnan po ang security protocol diyan po sa loob ng bilangguan. Dapat po walang makapuslit (It is the job of our police and our Department of Justice –
BuCor is under them – to look into the security protocols inside the prison. Nobody should be able to escape)," Go said in an interview while visiting fire victims in Malabon City.
He said he would be part of any measure to investigate the case and make sure that BuCor follows protocols under the law.
BuCor Director General Gerald Bantag has been placed under indefinite suspension to pave the way for a “fair and impartial investigation” into the death of Crisanto Villamor Jr., 42, who was serving prison terms for murder, attempted murder, and violating election gun ban laws.
Self-confessed gunman Joel Escorial said Villamor was among those who contacted him and three cohorts, who are still at large, to kill Mabasa.
Gregorio Catapang Jr., Armed Forces chief of staff from 2014 to 2015, was recommended as BuCor officer in charge.
Meanwhile, Poe said Villamor’s death struck a tragic blow to the justice system.
"This death will further hinder due process. The Bureau of Corrections owes it to the victim’s loved ones to quickly investigate this new murder and find new evidence that can point us to the mastermind of the series of crimes that has been committed," she said in a statement. "However, I am still hopeful that justice will prevail and that we will have answers soon. We will continue watching and holding authorities accountable for the sake of public order and safety."
Senator Ramon Revilla Jr. recently filed Senate Resolution 264, which asked the Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs to conduct an inquiry in aid of legislation on how inmates can run their criminal enterprises from inside the national penitentiary.
“The PNP (Philippine National Police) must continue investigating, and we, at the Senate, must seek the explanation of the Bureau of Corrections. This must stop,” the resolution read. (PNA)
