Percival Mabasa, popularly known as Percy Lapid (Photo from his Facebook page)
MANILA, Philippines — Despite three inmates from the New Bilibid Prison pleading guilty as accessories to the murder of broadcaster Percival Mabasa, the Department of Justice (DOJ) won’t be satisfied until the mastermind of the crime has been convicted.
Inmates and gang leaders Aldrin Galicia (Sputnik Gang Commander); Alvin Labra (BCJ Gang Commander) and Alfie Peñaredona (Happy Go Lucky Gang Commander) entered into a plea bargain with the prosecution.
On Friday, Judge Harold Cesar Hulinganga of Las Piñas RTC Branch 254 sentenced the inmates to two to eight years in prison after admitting participation in the murder of Mabasa also known as “Percy Lapid” in his radio show “Lapid Fire.” But Justice Assistant Secretary Jose Dominic Clavano said the case was far from over.
“We would like to see their principal, the brains behind the murders, plead guilty or convicted. That is the only time we can say that justice has been served,” Clavano said.
The DOJ said current evidence points to former Bureau of Corrections chief Gerald Bantag and former Deputy Officer Ricardo Zulueta, both still at large, as the “principals” of the case.