Percy Lapid’s kin ‘deeply saddened’ by ‘mysterious death’ of middleman in prison

PHOTO: Percy Lapid Fire Facebook page

MANILA, Philippines — The family of murdered radio broadcaster Percival “Percy Lapid” Mabasa was saddened by the reported death inside the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) in Muntinlupa City of the alleged middleman of the killing.

Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla earlier confirmed that the 42-year-old inmate who confessed gunman Joel Escorial identified was in the prison hospital when he died.

Remulla, however, did not say if the inmate was confined in the prison hospital or was declared dead on arrival.

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

“We are deeply saddened by the report about the mysterious death of the alleged middleman on the Percy Lapid killing inside the NBP facility,” Lapid’s brother, journalist Roy Mabasa, said in a statement sent to reporters.

Earlier, the police said they have already tried to secure the supposed “middleman in prison” who is currently undergoing trial for illegal drugs.

The police also pointed out that it was Escorial’s extrajudicial confession that led them to the alleged middleman, who gave the order to kill the veteran radioman “from inside Bilibid.”

READ: Confessed gunman in Percy Lapid killing surrenders, tags 3 other suspects 

Lapid, a tough-talking critic of the government, was shot dead near the gate of a BF Resort Village in Las Piñas City at around 8:30 p.m. on Oct. 3.

He is the second journalist to be killed under the administration of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., and the 198th since 1986.

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/MUF/abc