DOJ welcomes plea bargain of three accused in Percy Lapid slay

The Department of Justice (DOJ) on Tuesday welcomed the plea bargain agreement entered by three inmates of the New Bilibid Prison for the killing of broadcaster Percy Lapid.

Last week, three of the accused in the case pleaded guilty to a lesser offense of accessory in the murder of Lapid.

“We welcome their plea of guilt and they’re not only doing this for the case, but they’re also doing it for themselves, dahil doon sa kanilang plea of guilt, na minimize po yung sentence nila,” Justice spokesman Atty. Mico Clavano said in an interview.

The three accused were initially indicted for murder as principals by direct participation.

When asked how the admission will affect the case against former Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) chief Gerald Bantag and former deputy officer Ricardo Zulueta, the alleged masterminds in the ploy, Clavano said this was a big deal.

“Alam ho natin na hindi naman sila sila lang ang nagusap. alam naman natin na meron silang tinuturong mas malaking mastermind dito sa murder kay Percy Lapid,” he said.

“So we have solidified and perpetualized itong mga nasa baba. Ang kailangan na lagn natin gawin ay makuha yung mastermind or the brains behind yung murder ni Percy Lapid,” he added.

He said they have also received numerous information on the location of Bantag since they put up a P2 million reward for information on his whereabouts.

“Marami ho kaming nakuhang information regarding his whereabouts. There have been several reports of similar nature, but again we have to sift through and make sure that one the source is credible and two the information is also credible,” he said.

Lapid was shot dead in Las Piñas City on October 3, 2022.

Based on a police report from the Las Piñas City Police, the victim was onboard his vehicle when the SUV of one of the suspects suddenly bumped the rear portion of his SUV. —VAL, GMA Integrated News