8th person of interest in Percy Lapid slay case transferred to NBI custody — DOJ spox

The eight person of interest in the case of slain broadcaster Percy Lapid has been transferred to the custody of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), the Department of Justice said Friday.

DOJ spokesperson Atty. Mico Clavano said the inmate was from the Intelligence Service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (ISAFP) detention facility.

“Last night, around midnight, there was a transfer from the intelligence service of the ISAFP detention facility. There’s one inmate there who was transferred to the NBI custody as well, around midnight na-transfer ‘yun,” he said in an ambush interview.

“So today there will be an investigation and question and answer. Hopefully, we’ll get a statement as well,” he added.

In a message to reporters, Clavano said there are now five POIs under the DOJ and three POIs with the Philippine National Police (PNP).

The NBI and PNP on Thursday started its joint investigation into the death of Jun Villamor, the alleged middleman in the killing of Lapid.

“Yesterday was the first time that the PNP and the NBI came together to perform an investigation jointly. So I think we’re on to something. This is— the story is becoming a bit clearer. But of course, again, we have to be cautious because we don’t want to jump into any conclusions,” Clavano said.

Earlier, the DOJ said it is investigating the possibility that Villamor may have been murdered. Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said they also took the statements of four POIs.

“Yesterday, we conducted an investigation on the four PDLs that we had transferred from the New Bilibid Prison to the NBI’s custody. They… gave their statements, there was a question and answer portion also, but we formalized into judicial affidavits already,” Clavano said.

Autopsy

Meanwhile, Clavano said forensic pathologist Dr. Raquel Fortun asked for one more day to complete her autopsy report on the body of Villamor.

“At least six pages daw ‘yung magiging report niya. So I think she just wants to be thorough. She wants to understand the gravity of the report that she’s creating or she’s making. So I’m sure that Dr. Raquel Fortun is being diligent in her work so that she can come up with a report that is complete and thorough,” he said.

Initial findings of the National Bureau of Investigation showed that Villamor suffered a hemorrhage in the heart. The report also indicated that the autopsy found “no apparent sign of external physical injury.”

The second autopsy was conducted by Fortun.

CHR conference

Meanwhile, the Commission on Human Rights on Wednesday also conducted a case conference on the killing of Lapid. The conference was attended by Lapid’s brother, Roy Mabsa, with the family’s lawyers.

The CHR said it has been doing its own investigation on the case since it happened in early October. The commission assured the family that it will do its best to help.

“We look forward to the cooperation of relevant government agencies and personalities as we all pursue the shared goal of finding out the truth behind the killing of Percy Lapid and ensuring justice for this violation of the right to life,” it said.—AOL, GMA News