The Department of Justice (DOJ) said the guilty plea entered by several inmates at the National Bilibid Prison over the killing of broadcaster Percy Lapid and alleged middleman Jun Villamor strengthen the case against former Bureau of Corrections chief Gerald Bantag and former security deputy officer Ricardo Zulueta.
“We are establishing the link and every step of the way that there was really coordination and communication from Mr. Bantag and Mr. Zulueta to the gang leaders who have now pled guilty to the outside where they were able to find a gunman in Mr. Escorial,” Justice spokesperson Mico Clavano said, in an interview.
Clavano made the statement after a Muntinlupa City Regional Trial Court sentenced inmates Mario Alvarez, Christian Ramac, Ricky Salgado, Ronnie Dela Cruz, and Joel Reyes after they pleaded guilty to the lesser offense of accomplice to the crime of murder.
The lower court also sentenced Aldrin Galicia, Alvin Labra, and Joseph Georfo after they pleaded guilty to the lesser offense of accessory.
Last week, a Las Piñas court sentenced Galicia, Labra, and Alfie Peñaredonda after they pleaded guilty to the lesser offense of accessories in the murder of Lapid.
“So we will just finalize the plea bargaining and the plea of guilt of the others which will further lend credibility to our theory of the case,” Clavano said.
The DOJ prosecutors said there was a clear line of communication from Bantag and Zulueta to inmate Denver Mayores, then Mayores to Labra, and Labra who coordinated with Galicia.
Galicia allegedly orchestrated and executed the killing of Lapid through his gang members and his gang members’ contacts outside the
NBP, leading to the participation of self-confessed gunman Joel Escorial and his accomplices.
Lapid was shot dead in Las Pinas City on October 3, 2022, while Villamor died at the New Bilibid Prison on October 18. An autopsy by
forensic pathologist Dr. Raquel Fortun showed the remains of Villamor to have a “history of asphyxia by plastic bag suffocation.”
The DOJ has offered a P2-million reward for information that will lead to the arrest of Bantag and P1 million that will lead to apprehension
of Zulueta.