Hearing vs Bantag, et al over Percy Lapid slay postponed anew

Roy Mabasa, the brother of Percy Lapid, has said that the hearing against suspended Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) Director General Gerald Bantag over the killing of the broadcaster was suspended anew following the request of prosecutors.

Mabasa said the hearing was set for March 18, 2024, but has been deferred.

“I was informed by the Las Piñas Clerk of Court that the hearing for the @lapidfire vs Gerald Bantag, et al set on March 18, 2024 has been postponed AGAIN upon the request of the State Prosecutors," Mabasa said on X (formerly Twitter)

In March last year, prosecutors indicted Bantag and former deputy security officer Ricardo Zulueta for two counts of murder for the killing of Lapid and alleged middleman Jun Villamor.

They also found probable cause to indict self-confessed gunman Joel Escorial, Israel Dimaculangan, Edmon Dimaculangan, and a certain Orlando for murder as principals by direct participation.

He identified the Dimaculangan brothers and Orlando as his accomplices.

Villamor, meanwhile, died at the New Bilibid Prison on October 18, 2023. An autopsy by forensic pathologist Dr. Raquel Fortun showed the remains of Villamor to have a “history of asphyxia by plastic bag suffocation.”

Lapid, a radio broadcaster and columnist, was shot dead by two suspects onboard a motorcycle on the evening of October 3, 2022, in Las Piñas City.

The broadcaster, whose real name was Percival Mabasa, was the host of the online broadcast program "Percy Lapid Fire" at DWBL 1242 and a columnist for Hataw. —Jamil Santos/ VAL, GMA Integrated News