Las Piñas court OKs transfer of Lapid slay gunman to PNP Custodial Center

The Las Piñas City Regional Trial Court has approved the transfer of Joel Escorial, the self-confessed gunman of broadcaster Percy Lapid, to the Philippine National Police Custodial Center.

The order, dated April 18, was signed by Presiding Judge Harold Cesar Huligang of the Las Piñas RTC Branch 254.

“I hereby commit to you the person/s of Joel Escorial y Salve… you will receive, safely keep, and confine the said accused during the pendency of this case, until further notice,” the court said.

National Capital Region Police Office director Maj. Gen. Edgar Okubo confirmed to GMA News Online that he has received the order.

Lapid was shot dead in Las Piñas City on October 3, 2022, while alleged middleman Jun Villamor, an inmate, died at the New Bilibid Prison on October 18, 2022.

A Muntinlupa and Las Piñas Court recently issued warrants of arrest against former Bureau of Corrections chief Gerald Bantag and former BuCor deputy officer Ricardo Zulueta for the deaths of Villamor and Lapid, respectively.—Joahna Lei Casilao/AOL, GMA Integrated News