Marcos saying probe must continue gave us hope — Percy Lapid brother

Veteran journalist Roy Mabasa on Thursday said the order of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to continue the investigation on the killing of broadcaster Percy Lapid, his brother, has given them hope.

“Hangga’t may natitira pong porsyento sa ginagawa ng NBI (National Bureau of Investigation) at PNP (Philippine National Police) ay hindi po kami titigil. In fact, natuwa nga po kami, kaninang umaga… mismong si Pangulong Marcos ang nagsabi na hindi pa ititigil ang imbestigasyon,” Mabasa told Super Radyo dzBB.

(We will not stop as long as the NBI and the PNP continue with the probe. In fact, we were happy because earlier President Marcos said that the investigation will not stop.)

“Ito’y pagpapakita ng, alam mo, pag-asa sa lahat na mahahalungkat pa kung ano ang dapat mahalungkat,” he added.

(This gave everyone hope that whatever must be revealed will be revealed.)

Mabasa said this when asked if their family believes that suspended Bureau of Corrections chief Gerald Bantag is the final mastermind behind the killing.

Authorities had pointed to Bantag and BuCor official Ricardo Zulueta as the ones behind the killing of Lapid and alleged middleman Jun Villamor. Two murder complaints have been filed against them.

Lapid, whose real name is Percival Mabasa, was shot dead in Las Piñas City on October 3 while Villamor died at the New Bilibid Prison. An autopsy by forensic pathologist Dr. Raquel Fortun showed the remains of Villamor to have a “history of asphyxia by plastic bag suffocation.”

The National Bureau of Investigation had said both Bantag and Zulueta are still in the country and it is seeking to file a hold departure order against them.

Meanwhile, Mabasa said CCTV footage showed that gang leaders at the NBP were called by Zulueta in his office.

“Apparently, d'yan sa footage na iyan pinakikita nung pinatawag sila ni Ginoong Zulueta doon sa opisina kung saan sila pinulong at sinabi sa kanila na meron silang gagawing trabaho,” he said.

(Apparently, the footage showed when Mr. Zulueta called the gang leaders to give them the order.)

Meanwhile, relatives and supporters of Bantag held a gathering in Baguio City to call for a clean and fair investigation in the killing of Lapid.—AOL, GMA Integrated News