BuCor secures cousin of deceased ‘middleman’ in Percy Lapid slay

The Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) has secured the cousin of the inmate who allegedly acted as middleman in the killing of broadcaster Percy Lapid, BuCor spokesperson Gabriel Chaclag said Friday.

When sought for confirmation on whether BuCor has secured Jose Villamor, the cousin of New Bilibid Prison inmate Jun Villamor, Chaclag said, “Opo [yes].”

Chaclag said Jose Villamor is currently at a “secured place.”

In a press conference held earlier in the day, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said a "person of interest"  related to Jun Villamor is currently in the custody of the Philippine National Police (PNP).

“I called up New Bibilid to turn over the person and he was turned over to the PNP last night. He is now in the PNP Custodial Center. ‘Yung isang person of interest din who may be a witness, who may know about the persons involved, from inside Bilibid,” Remulla said.

Remulla, in a message to reporters, confirmed that this was Jose Villamor.

Self-confessed gunman Joel Escorial previously said that Crisanto Villamor, later identified as Jun Villamor based on records, promised to pay him and three others P550,000 for the killing of Lapid.

On Thursday, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said Jun Villamor, an inmate at the New Bilibid Prison, passed away at the facility's hospital.

Chaclag said Villamor was declared dead on Tuesday after he was brought to the hospital due to loss of consciousness

The spokesperson said initial findings of the BuCor Health Service showed no signs of physical external injuries, which may indicate a natural cause of death or no signs of foul play.

Meanwhile, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has ordered the suspension of BuCor chief Director General Gerald Bantag following Villamor’s death. —Joahna Lei Casilao/KBK, GMA News