Remulla: We’re looking at 2 persons of interest in Lapid, Villamor deaths

Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla said Saturday the Department of Justice (DOJ) is identifying two persons of interests who could be the masterminds behind the deaths of broadcaster Percy Lapid and alleged middleman Jun Villamor.

At a press briefing, Remulla said the DOJ is now in the final stages of its investigation.

“The investigation is almost over. It’s a matter of filing cases and probably being able to identify masterminds in these cases,” the Justice chief said.

“We are saying masterminds, in the plural. We’re drawing out two persons of interest as masterminds, but we cannot say their names now because we have to determine everything, and we do not want to violate any rights of anybody,” he said.

“We’re just making sure that we conduct everything in accordance with the law,” he added.

On Friday, Remulla said it was possible that the mastermind behind the Lapid killing would be identified.

The Justice Secretary said the deaths of Lapid and Villamor were “intersecting” since Villamor was an “alleged co-conspirator in the death of Percy Lapid.”

Autopsy findings by forensic pathologist Dr. Raquel Fortun found that the manner of Villamor’s death was homicide as there was a history of asphyxia by plastic bag suffocation.

Lapid, host of an online broadcast program and columnist for a tabloid, was shot dead in Las Piñas City on October 3.

On October 18, confessed gunman Joel Escorial was presented to the media following his surrender.

He identified several persons involved in the plot to kill Lapid, including two middlemen identified as Villamor and Christopher Bacoto. Villamor was detained at the New Bilibid Prison (NBP), and Bacoto was held in a jail facility under the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP).

On October 20, Remulla said Villamor died inside the NBP on October 18.

Remulla said the Justice Department was investigating the possibility that the death of Villamor may have been a case of murder. — DVM, GMA News