Killing of Percy Lapid

Percival Carag Mabasa (March 14, 1959 – October 3, 2022),[2] known professionally as Percy Lapid (Tagalog: [ˈpɛɾsi ˈlapid]), was a Filipino journalist and radio broadcaster.

Percy Lapid was killed on October 3, 2022, at around 8:30 pm (UTC+8) while he was driving home to BF Resort Village, a gated community in Las Piñas.

[12] The police identified one "person-of-interest", a man wearing a pink jacket who was walking near the Las Piñas City Hall, about five minutes from Lapid's home.

Also indicted as principals were:[2][20] In April, Muntinlupa Regional Trial Court Branch 266 issued an arrest warrant for Bantag and Zulueta for the murder of Villamor.

[21][22] Lawyers filed a petition before the Court of Appeals on behalf of Bantag and Zulueta on July 10 (but made public about a month later) asking them to nullify the indictment by the Department of Justice along with the entire preliminary investigation conducted by the DOJ.

This was, however, contradicted by the findings of a second autopsy conducted by forensic pathologist Raquel Fortun, who concluded that Villamor died of suffocation from a plastic bag.

[34][35] President Marcos ordered Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla to place Bureau of Corrections Director General Gerald Bantag under preventive suspension for 90 days pending investigation of his role in the killing.

[36] From sworn statements from certain "persons deprived of liberty" (PDLs) the NBI established that there was a direct line of communication between Bantag and deputy security officer Ricardo Zulueta and Escorial through middlemen Alvin Labra and gang leader Aldrin Galicia.

[17] For the murder of Percy Lapid, four of five co-accused charged as principals by indispensable cooperation, all NBP PDLs, have been convicted by the Las Piñas RTC through plea bargaining where they pleaded guilty as accessories to the crime,[37] and sentenced to 2–8 years imprisonment.

[38] They are Aldrin Galicia, Alvin Labra and Alfie Peñaredonda, all NBP gang leaders,[38] on June 23, 2023;[37] and Denver Mayores, reportedly Bantag's aide, on December 4.

[51] The killing was called an attack on press freedom by some observers, such as former Vice President Leni Robredo and lawmakers Risa Hontiveros, Robin Padilla, France Castro, and Neri Colmenares.

[47][53][54] Department of the Interior and Local Government Secretary Benhur Abalos offered ₱500 thousand of his own money to anyone who could provide information that would aid the investigations into the incident.

[58] UNESCO’s mandate to “promote the free flow of ideas by word and image” includes the protection of journalists and media workers from attacks and reprisals.

[62] Bantag expressed doubt that Marcos was being provided truthful information regarding the case and urged Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla to step down.