HEADLINE | MANILA- Gunman gets P.5M for Percy Lapid’s life
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(UPDATE) THE Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) confirmed that P550,000 was deposited in the account of the self-confessed gunman of veteran radio broadcaster Percival Mabasa or Percy Lapid.
Citing a report by the AMLC, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said P550,000 was deposited by different individuals in three installments within three weeks into the account of Joel Escorial.
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Memento Maxima Digital Marketing @“The AMLC revealed in its report yesterday (Friday) that what gunman Escorial was saying is very accurate. The P550,000 deposit was there in a certain amount of days,” Remulla said in an interview on Saturday.
“The money was deposited in several tranches within a span of more than two weeks, within a three-week period. It seems like that, within a 20-day period. The money was deposited by different individuals. That is what we will investigate because it sheds some light into the financial activities within,” he added.
He said the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) will present additional details about the case on Monday.
Escorial surrendered to authorities and claimed he was paid P550,000 to kill Lapid.
Escorial said he received instructions from Cristitito “Jun” Villamor, the alleged middleman, who died inside the New Bilibid Prison hours after he surrendered to authorities.
The Justice chief said investigation is still ongoing to identify others who are directly involved in the murder of the broadcaster in Barangay Talon Dos in Las Piñas City on October 3.
“We are still looking at the possible participation of other individuals in the plot. Their being co-accused is belated because investigation continues,” Remulla said.
He expressed his belief that what they have gathered as evidence will hold in court.
“It is not as perfect as you want it to be. It will hold in court I believe. The standards of reasonable doubt can be met,” Remulla said.
Remulla said while the “loose ends have been tied… we still want to find out more.”
Remulla said they were looking at angles on “the degree of criminal liability, diminished liability.”
Remulla, however, did not confirm if former Bureau of Corrections director general Gerald Bantag was one of those who will be named in the complaint the NBI will file on Monday.
“That’s up to the NBI. On Monday, you will find out,” he said.
Based on Escorial’s supplemental affidavit submitted before the Department of Justice, a certain “Bantag” ordered Lapid’s killing.
Nevertheless, Remulla revealed that at least two individuals who may be considered masterminds may be named in the complaint to be filed.
“I think they will be included [in the complaint]. Two masterminds are being considered,” he said.
Remulla said he could not say what the possible motive for the killing is.
“I cannot surmise the motive. What I only know is what really happened based on what the witnesses said. That’s where we will base [the complaint],” he pointed out.
At this point, Remulla said the Lapid slay case may be considered “90 to 95 percent closed in terms of investigation.”
“It’s just a matter of having more details brought in. This was the product of good investigative and cooperative work of the NBI and police,” he said.
“As it is now, I think we can lay the matter to rest. Actually on the 30th day on November 3, everything fell into place. All the details were there,” he said.
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