Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, November 3) — Authorities said another person of interest in the killing of broadcaster Percy Lapid is now in the custody of the National Bureau of investigation (NBI).
The airport police unit based in NAIA Terminal 3 said the male person of interest arrived on a Cebu Pacific flight from Puerto Princesa, Palawan on Wednesday night.
He was escorted by corrections officers upon arrival and turned over to the NBI.
No other details were released.
TIMELINE: The Percy Lapid slay case
Officials earlier said they have identified about 160 persons of interest in Lapid’s killing, including suspended Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) Director General Gerald Bantag. At least eight persons of interest are under the custody of authorities.
Lapid, whose real name is Percival Mabasa, was killed on Oct. 3, and the person who confessed to be the gunman — Joel Escorial — surrendered on Oct. 18.
On the same day of the surrender, Jun Villamor — tagged as a middleman in Lapid’s death — died at the New Bilibid Prison, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla said.
A second autopsy conducted last week by forensic pathologist Raquel Fortun on Villamor’s body indicated homicide, and that he was suffocated with a plastic bag.
The first autopsy by the NBI said there was no foul play seen in Villamor’s death.
Fortun said she is ready to defend her findings.
