Facade of the New Bilibid Prison (NBP), with the sign of the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor). Image from the BuCor website
MANILA, Philippines — Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) deputy security officer Ricardo Zulueta, who allegedly relayed the order to kill radio broadcaster Percy Lapid, is currently in hiding, according to Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla.
On Monday, Remulla made the revelation after the authorities filed murder complaints against Zulueta, the suspended BuCor director general Gerald Bantag, and other prisoners suspected of involvement in the murder of Lapid (real name: Percival Mabasa) and alleged middleman Cristito Palaña (also known as Jun or Crisanto Villamor) before the Office of the Prosecutor General of the Department of Justice (DOJ).
READ: Murder raps filed vs Bantag, others linked to Percy Lapid slay
“Now, they will be issued subpoenas in their last known addresses because we understand that Zulueta has been hiding already. He skipped town four or five days ago and Gen. Bantag, we expect to give it to him at the BuCor and his last known address in Caloocan City,” the DOJ chief said in a news conference also on Monday.
He added that a lookout order against all the accused is forthcoming and that they will soon apply for a hold departure order before the court.
Philippine National Police chief Gen. Rodolfo Azurin Jr. later confirmed Zulueta’s hiding while Bantag was under surveillance.
“As mentioned earlier, Mr. Zulueta has gone into hiding a few days ago. Meanwhile, for Gen. Bantag, no arrest warrant has been issued, so I think he is still free to roam around. We just have to find his exact location,” he said in a mix of English and Filipino. With reports from Kristelle Razon, trainee
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