DOJ sets preliminary probe into murder charges vs Bantag, Zulueta, others, in Percy Lapid killing

THE Department of Justice (DOJ) is expected to serve today, Tuesday, November 15, 2022, subpoenas against suspended Bureau of Corrections (Bucor) chief Gerald Bantag, deputy security officer Ricardo Zulueta in connection with the murder complaints filed against them for the killing of hard-hitting radio commentator Percival “Percy Lapid” Mabasa and the alleged middleman in the case identified as Jun Villamor.

DOJ Prosecutor General Benedicto Malcontento said the subpoenas were released on Monday but are yet to be served to Bantag and his co-accused in the complaint.

The subpoenas were issued to compel the accused to appear before the DOJ three-man panel tasked to conduct a preliminary investigation to determine whether there is a probable cause to indict the accused before the trial court.

Malcontento said the preliminary investigation was on November 23 and December 5, 2022.

The DOJ three-man panel is composed of Deputy State Prosecutor Olivia I. Laroza Torrevillas, as chair, with Senior Assistant State Prosecutors Charlie L. Guhit and Josie Christina T. Dugay as members.

The two murder complaints, according to Malcontento, will be consolidated with the first complaint filed by the Philippine National Police (PNP) last October 18 against self-confessed gunman Joel Escorial and his three alleged accomplices— brothers Edmon and Israel Dimaculangan, and a person identified only as Orly or Orlando.

Bantag and Zulueta were charged as principals by inducement in the Lapid killing.

Also charged in the Percy Lapid killing as “principals by indispensable cooperation” were National Bilibid Prison (NBP) inmates Denver Batungbakal Mayores, Alvin Cornista Labra, Aldrin Micosa Galicia and Alfie Peñaredonda.

For Villamor’s death, Bantag and Zulueta were charged as principals by inducements, while persons deprived liberty (PDL) Labra, Galicia, Mario Germones Alvarez and Joseph Medel Georfo were charged as principals by indispensable cooperation and PDLS Christam Dizon Ramac, Ricky Lamigo Salgado, Ronnie Pabustan de la Cruz and Joel Alog Reyes were charged as principals by direct participation.

Meanwhile, Bantag said he would not submit himself to legal proceedings even if an arrest warrant were issued against him unless Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla vacates his DOJ post.

This even as he insisted he would cooperate in the ongoing investigation on the case.

“Definitely, I will face the charges with my supporters but if Boying will not step down I will not surrender even if there is a warrant,” Bantag was quoted as saying in a CNN Philippines broadcast interview.

“I will not allow myself to be hoodwinked again but if Boying is not there, I will surrender if a warrant is issued. As long as Boying is there, I will not come out, he manipulated me,” Bantag added.

Bantag earlier said he would rather die than be jailed for a crime he did not commit.

The embattled Bantag accused Remulla of being a master manipulator, saying he makes it appear as if he wanted him to stay in his post as Bureau of Corrections (Bucor) chief when as early as August he already had information that the latter wanted him replaced by retired Armed Forces Chief Pio Gregorio Catapang Jr.

Catapang took over as Bucor chief post last month after Bantag was placed on a 90-day suspension to pave the way for an impartial probe on the mysterious death of Villamor inside the national penitentiary after he was tagged by Escorial.

Last Friday, Bantag lashed back at Remulla, calling him a liar, a drug user, a protector of drug lords and a disgrace to the DOJ.

Responding to Remulla’s challenge for him to be “man enough” and face the murder complaints, Bantag called on Remulla to step down, saying he no longer has any credibility or moral ascendancy after his son, Juanito Jose III, was arrested by anti-drugs operatives last month in Las Piñas City with P1.3 million worth of “kush” or highgrade marijuana.

In the same interview, Bantag said he is no longer willing to sit down with Lapid’s family to prove his innocence.

“I would rather talk in the proper forum. Actually, that’s what I would like to tell them in good faith that I have nothing to do with the case but it seems they are already programmed to believe otherwise because of Boying,” he said.

Bantag also said he has no information as to the whereabouts of Zulueta and that he last saw him a day after he was suspended last month as Bucor chief.

Authorities said Zulueta was allegedly the one who communicated with prison gang leaders on behalf of Bantag to plot Lapid and Villamor’s killing.