Remulla: Bantag still in Philippines, urges him to file counter affidavit

Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla on Wednesday called on suspended BuCor chief Gerald Bantag to file his counter affidavit as he believes that the alleged mastermind in the killing of broadcaster Percy Lapid is still in the Philippines.

Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla on Wednesday called on suspended Bureau of Corrections chief Gerald Bantag to file his counter affidavit as he believes that the alleged mastermind in the killing of broadcaster Percy Lapid is still in the Philippines.

plastic bag suffocation.By ANNA FELICIA BAJO, GMA Integrated News Published Updated November 7, 2022 2:37pm Malacañang on Monday expressed hope that justice would be served for the family of Percy Lapid following the filing of murder complaint against suspended Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) chief Gerald Bantag and others in relation the killing of the broadcaster.0 JUSTICE Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla has ruled out the possibility of the involvement of other masterminds in the killing of broadcaster Percival “Percy Lapid” Mabasa last October 3, aside from suspended Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) Director-General Gerald Bantag.Two days after being relieved, DSWD execs returned to posts “It was found through the investigation that both director general Gerald Bantag and DSO Ricardo Zulueta were behind the killing of both Percy Lapid and Jun Villamor (Cristito Palaña),” National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) spokesman Eugene Javier said, after confirming that both BuCor officials are facing a murder complaint filed by the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the NBI.

” NBI supervising agent Atty.Eugene Javier said they are trying to secure a precautionary hold departure order against Bantag and Zulueta.is very much aware of the developments on the case.“We’re trying to secure a precautionary hold departure order through the cooperation of the prosecutor.Remulla made the statement even as Lapid’s brother Roy Mabasa said that while they are glad on the filing of the case against Bantag and several others, the family remains unconvinced that the mastermind behind the murder stops with the suspended BuCor chief.Although we have information that both people are still in the country,” Javier told ANC.Hopefully, it will pave the way para talagang justice will be served to the family of Mabasa," Officer-in-Charge Undersecretary Cheloy Garafil told reporters.Lapid went to Bantag's house? Meanwhile, Remulla said they received new information on Tuesday that Bantag supposedly did not attend the September 9 graduation ceremony at the NBP because he got mad when he learned that Lapid went to his residence in Laguna to take pictures of his house and vehicles.“The sworn statements of the PDLs show a clear and direct line of communication from the director general and DSO Ricardo Zulueta to Denver Mayores, who communicated with Alvin Labra, who then coordinated with Aldrin Galicia,” Javier said.

According to Remulla, this information is a significant lead." Bantag was also among the 160 personalities considered to be persons of interest by the police in the killing of Lapid, whose real name is Percival Mabasa.It is our hope that the investigation will continue until the real mastermind is unmasked,” Mabasa said.“It’s a significant lead that he was absent on that day because on that day Percy Lapid went to his house to examine, to take pictures of his house and his vehicles,” he said.“That day itself, noong nalaman ni General Bantag na andun si Percy Lapid sa Laguna, medyo nagalit.Bantag was preventively suspended in October following the death of alleged middleman Jun Villamor, also known as Cristito Villamor Palaña, while the latter was incarcerated at the New Bilibid Prison.Nawala na siya, he didn’t anymore went back to Bilibid.Javier said they have received intelligence information about another supposed mastermind in Lapid’s killing other than Bantag.He went back to Laguna and then 'di na sya umattend ng graduation,” he added.He also stressed the need to unmask the mastermind of the crime and to identify the reason behind Lapid's killing.Palaña kill order ‘came from high BuCor official’ The sworn statements of the PDLs were likewise cited by Javier in establishing the link of Bantag and Zulueta in Palaña’s death, who is believed to have died through suffocation by a plastic bag.

(That day itself when General Bantag learned that Percy Lapid was in Laguna, he got angry.He disappeared and did not anymore go back to Bilibid.“We have to understand that Director General Bantag has the rank of undersecretary as BuCor chief.He went back to Laguna and then he did not attend the graduation.) Remulla said the graduation of the University of Perpetual Help System Dalta (UPHSD) in Bilibid was attended by all the board of trustees.“These are people who really are doing a great service to the national penitentiary kasi they’re providing college education to many of the inmates e who want to do it,” he said.Reacting to Javier’s statement, Remulla said: “Let’s see.The fact that they killed one of their own means and indicates that there were instructions from the top and the gang simply had no choice but to execute.

“Yung kanyang hindi pagbalik dun (His not going back to the event) is a sign also that he was very mad, he was very, very livid about it,” he added.According to Remulla, Lapid on September 15 released the story about the “Cinderella Man”, which supposedly pertains to Bantag.On September 17, Remulla said the plot to kill Lapid started.It’s difficult to speculate,” Remulla explained.“Everything came into fruition.Kaya makikita niyo, meron talagang (You would see that really) there’s a string that ties everything together,” Remulla said.” One of Mabasa’s last exposés against Bantag was published on September 2, when a BuCor employee had supposedly approached the radioman on the “panggigipit” or pressure coming from the BuCor chief.

—KG, GMA Integrated News.Remulla also dismissed insinuations that former President Rodrigo Duterte should be considered as one of the persons of interest in the Lapid murder case since the latter was also critical of the former.

Bantag, Maayong buntag!

Palace on murder raps vs. Bantag, others: Hopefully it'll pave way for justice to be servedMalacañang on Monday expressed hope that justice would be served for the family of Percy Lapid following the filing of murder complaint against suspended Bureau of Corrections chief Gerald Bantag and others in relation the killing of the broadcaster.

Remulla: No other possible suspects in Percy Lapid murder case - BusinessMirrorJUSTICE Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla has ruled out the possibility of the involvement of other masterminds in the killing of broadcaster Percival “Percy Lapid” Mabasa last October 3, aside from suspended Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) Director-General Gerald Bantag. In an interview with reporters, Remulla said evidence and the money trail that authorities have gathered so far

What we know so far: Bantag and those linked to Percy Lapid, middleman slaysRevelations continue to unfold regarding the death of radio broadcaster Percy Lapid, whose brazen assassination last month launched a fast-paced investigation that, more often than not, kept the public in the loop on the latest developments. | BPinlacINQ

Persons higher than Bantag may be named masterminds in Lapid slay — Mabasa lawyerPersons that have a higher ranking than suspended Bureau of Corrections director general Gerald Bantag can still be named as masterminds in the Percival “Percy Lapid” Mabasa slay, said the Mabasa family lawyer. | JMangaluzINQ JMangaluzINQ The Mabasa family is fucking at it! I stan this family who wants those higher than Bantag be prosecuted. JMangaluzINQ Ako lang ba nakakakita na si ser bantag eh hawig ni derek ramsey?! Gahasain mo ako general! Ahihihi

Dela Rosa tells Bantag: Face the musicSenator Ronald ;Bato; dela Rosa on Tuesday advised suspended Bureau of Corrections chief Gerald Bantag to ;face the music; as the latter was charged with murder in the slay case of broadcast journalist Percy Lapid.

Persons higher than Bantag may be named masterminds in Lapid slay — Mabasa lawyerICYMI: Persons that have a higher ranking than suspended Bureau of Corrections director general Gerald Bantag can still be named as masterminds in the Percival “Percy Lapid” Mabasa slay, the Mabasa family lawyer said.