AMLC tapped in efforts to unmask Percy Lapid slay mastermind —police

Police investigators are already working to unmask the person who deposited P550,000 to the bank account of self-confessed gunman Joel Escorial for killing broadcaster Percy Lapid.

Interviewed on Dobol B TV, Southern Police District (SPD) director Police Brigadier General Kirby Kraft said they are already coordinating with the bank and even the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC).

“Gumawa na po tayo ng kaukulang komunikasyon po sa naturang bangko at pati na rin po sa AMLC nang matulungan po tayo ma-determine po kung sino man po yung nag-deposito,” Kraft said.

(We already communicated with the concerned bank as well as with AMLC so they can help us determine whoever deposited the money.)

Kraft said this action may help determine the mastermind behind the killing of Lapid, whose real name is Percival Mabasa.

Kraft made the statement when asked if the probe has hit a “dead end” after inmate Crisanto Palana Villamor Jr., the alleged middleman in plotting Lapid’s killing, died inside the New Bilibid Prison (NBP).

Aside from this, a second middleman, who is reportedly under the custody of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP), is supposedly refusing to coordinate with the police.

Kraft said the police can still work on the investigation through the statement of Escorial regarding the money transferred to his account.

Meanwhile, Kraft said the BJMP assured the Philippine National Police (PNP) that it would secure the second middleman after the first one died while under the custody of the Bureau of Corrections.

He added that the police also received reports on supposed sightings of other suspects in Lapid’s killing. However, he said he cannot disclose the areas where they were spotted.

When Escorial surrendered to the police, he named other persons involved in Lapid’s killing.

Aside from the two middlemen, he also identified his companions as siblings Edmon and Israel Dimaculangan, and a certain Orlando or Orly. The three are still at large.

Lapid, host of online broadcast program "Percy Lapid Fire" at DWBL 1242 and columnist for Hataw, was shot dead while on his way home in Las Piñas City on October 3. —KBK, GMA News