“So far eight. But it can get bigger… It will depend on the statements to be made by these,” Remulla said in an ambush interview with reporters.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 26) — Eight people tagged in the Percival ‘Percy Lapid’ Mabasa slay case are now under the custody of authorities, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said Wednesday.
Remulla said the names include all those identified by “Marisa,” the sister of alleged middleman Jun Villamor.
Villamor’s cousin Jose and another alleged middleman named Christopher Bacoto are also on the list.
The individuals have been secured by the Philippine National Police, the National Bureau of Investigation, and the military, the Justice chief said.
Mastermind on the list?
Remulla, however, said they cannot say just yet whether the mastermind is among the people under custody but they continue to look at all possible angles.
He added authorities will also look into the possibility of another “influencing” personality on the case.
“We are determined to find out if there’s anybody else influencing this case from a higher level from where we have it already,” he said.
Marisa earlier approached Sen. Raffy Tulfo with information about three people identified by Villamor, who would supposedly be responsible if he dies.
She has since been placed under the witness protection program.
Villamor died on Oct. 18, hours after self-confessed gunman Joel Escorial revealed on live television that he received the kill order from someone inside the New Bilibid Prison.
Authorities said there were no signs of foul play. A second autopsy conducted by top forensic pathologist Raquel Fortun is expected to be finished today.
Meanwhile, Remulla said he advised Bureau of Corrections officer-in-charge Gregorio Catapang to procure K9 units to help address the perennial problem of some Bilibid inmates having access to cellphones.
“I spoke to him just the other day,” he said. “Sabi ko gumamit siya ng K9 units, mag-procure siya ng (I urged him to procure) K9 units, so we will sniff out everything that has to be sniffed out of this place.”
