Percy Lapid—VIDEOGRAB FROM FACEBOOK PAGE OF PERCY LAPID FIRE
MANILA, Philippines — One of the suspects in the killing of broadcaster Percival “Percy Lapid” Mabasa died after he shot himself during the service of his arrest warrant in Lipa City, Batangas early Sunday morning, according to the police.
National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) chief Major General Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. identified the suspect as alias Orly, who reportedly helped gunman Joel Escorial plan the attack against Lapid.
READ: Gunman in Percy Lapid slay gets 16 years in prison
“He did not surrender and held his live-in partner and his child hostage. The negotiation lasted until about 4 a.m. during which he called the barangay captain and his relatives,” Nartatez said in Filipino during an interview with DZBB.
Nartatez added that the negotiations between the barangay captain and Orly’s cousin resulted in the release of his live-in partner and child.
However, shortly after he released his hostages, Orly shot himself in front of the negotiators, Nartatez said.
Lapid was the second journalist killed under the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., according to the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines.
Reports said he was gunned down by motorcycle-riding assailants on October 3, 2022, along Aria Street in Barangay (village) Talon Dos, Las Piñas City.
In May this year, Escorial was sentenced to a maximum of 16 years in prison.