Percy Lapid case: Unknown caller claims ‘General Bantag is involved;’ brother next

Percival “Percy Lapid” Mabasa —video grab from Facebook page of Percy Lapid Fire

MANILA, Philippines — An anonymous caller threatening the family of Percy Lapid claimed that a certain “General Bantag” was behind the murder of the broadcaster and that the next target would be the victim’s brother.

In a press conference Wednesday, Senator Risa Hontiveros presented copies of the recorded conversations handed over to her by Lapid’s family. The senator visited the family of Lapid, whose real name was Percival Mabasa, on Monday, October 24.

READ: Hontiveros says Percy Lapid’s family is fearful and needs greater protection

According to the male caller, Lapid died because the radioman did not believe there was an attempt on his life.

“Nag-chat kami ni Roy, Roy Mabasa.May pinag-usapan na kami, ibibigay ko sa kanya lahat ng detalye tungkol sa pagkamatay ni Percy Lapid at sa buhay niya, nanganganib din ang buhay niya eh, isusunod siya sa kapatid niya, papatayin din siya. Involved si General Bantag sa pagkamatay ni Percy Lapid,” the unknown caller in the recorded conversations claimed.

(I had a chat with Roy, Roy Mabasa. We already agreed on something. I will give him all the details about the death of Percy Lapid and [the attempt] on his life. He is also in danger. He will be next after his brother, he will also be killed. General Bantag is involved in the death of Percy Lapid.)

The caller also said it is now Lapid’s brother, Roy Mabasa, who is in danger, adding that he is only asking for some money in exchange for information on the supposed “Ocho Boys” of a “General Bantag.”

“Kasali si General Bantag […] isipin mo si Percy bakit namatay, dahil hindi kayo naniniwala. Noong una, tinatawagan ko si Percy na mag-ingat dahil papatayin ka na, ayaw niya maniwala. Ngayon si Roy naman, ayaw ring maniwala ni Roy sa akin,” he claimed.

(General Bantag is involved… think about why Percy died because you did not believe. At first, I called Percy to warn him because he would be killed, but he did not believe it. So now, Roy is next, but he also does not believe me.)

“Maliit na halaga lang hinihingi ko kay Roy para i-send ko sa kanya ang ‘Ocho Boys’ ni General Bantag at saka ni Major (inaudible) na isang inmate dito sa Maximum,” he added.

(I am only asking for a small amount of money, so I can send him about the “Ocho Boys” of General Bantag and Major [inaudible], who is also an inmate here at the Maximum [prison facility].)

According to Hontiveros, the victim’s family and Roy Mabasa have been distressed about the threats – losing sleep and unable to leave their homes out of fear for their lives.

Members of the family also received threats through social media.

“Bukod dyan, pati ang anak ni Percy na si Mark ay nangangamba na dahil pinangalanan na rin siya ng anonymous caller na ito, na walang humpay sa pamimilit at pananakot,” the senator said.

(Aside from that, even the son of Percy, Mark, is fearful because he has also been named by this anonymous caller who is relentlessly harassing and threatening them.)

“Just over the weekend, mine-message sila sa Facebook, tinetext, at tinatawagan pa nga. Dala na rin ng pag-alala, ni-record nila ang usapang ito,” she added, noting that the recorded conversations will be forwarded to investigators in hopes that it could help solve the ambush-slay case.

(Just over the weekend, they were being messaged on Facebook and cell phones and even getting calls. Due to anxiety, they decided to record this conversation.)

Last October 18 confessed gunman in Lapid’s murder, Joel Escorial, said in a press conference that “someone from Bilibid” gave them orders to kill the broadcaster.

Bilibid is the common term for the New Bilibid Prison – the country’s main penitentiary managed by the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) under the Department of Justice – located in Muntinlupa City.

BuCor’s chief was Director General Gerald Bantag until he was suspended last week after being included among the 160 persons of interest in the police investigation of Lapid’s killing.

READ: BuCor’s Bantag among 160 persons of interest in Percy Lapid slay

Lapid had spoken about and criticized Bantag in several episodes of his program Lapid Fire, including mentions of the alleged vehicles and mansion of the beleaguered BuCor official.

But Bantag has denied any involvement in the murder of Lapid, saying he has nothing to gain from the radioman’s death. He also countered claims about his vehicles, noting they were issued by the government and denied owning any mansion.

READ: Bantag, target of ‘Lapid Fire,’ speaks out: What mansion?

“Wala po. Anong mapapala ko diyan? (I have no involvement. What will I gain from that?),” he said in an interview over DZRH.

“Nagtagal na tayo sa BuCor, ang dami namang bumatikos sa ating mga blogger na ganyan. Wala namang namamatay na gano’n.”

(We have been in BuCor for a long time, many bloggers have criticized me but no one has died.)

INQUIRER.net has reached out again to Bantag for his comment on this matter, but he has not replied as of posting time.

Lapid was killed in an ambush last October 3 at a neighborhood’s gate in Las Piñas City.

RELATED STORIES

DOJ chief Remulla: ‘Middleman in prison’ in Percy Lapid slay already dead

Percy Lapid murder: PNP thinks abrupt death of ‘middleman’ in NBP dubious

Bongbong Marcos not convinced ‘middleman’ in Percy Lapid slay died of natural causes 

KGA/abc