Killing of Percy Lapid#Percy Lapid

{{Infobox civilian attack

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| location = Las Piñas, Metro Manila, Philippines

| target = Percy Lapid

| coordinates = {{coord|14|26|35.4|N|120|59|03.7|E|region:PH-00_type:event|display=inline,title}}

| date = {{dts|2022|10|03}}

| time = 8:30 pm

| timezone = PHT

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| weapons = .45 caliber pistol{{cite news |last1=Mangaluz |first1=Jean |title=SPD: .45 caliber pistol used to kill Percy Lapid |url=https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1676022/police-45-caliber-used-to-kill-percy-lapid |access-date=7 October 2022 |newspaper=Philippine Daily Inquirer |date=6 October 2022 |language=en}}

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On October 3, 2022, Percy Lapid, a radio journalist and radio broadcaster, was shot dead while on his way home in Las Piñas, Metro Manila, Philippines.

Percy Lapid

{{Infobox person

| name = Percy Lapid

| image = percy-lapid.jpg

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| caption = Percy Lapid in 2015

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| birth_name = Percival Carag Mabasa

| birth_date = {{birth date|1959|03|14}}

| birth_place = Quezon City, Philippines

| death_date = {{Death date and age|2022|10|03|1959|03|14}}

| death_place = Las Piñas, Metro Manila, Philippines

| restingplace = Manila Memorial Park – Sucat, Parañaque, Philippines

| death_cause = Multiple gunshot wounds

| other_names = Percy Lapid
Ka Percy
Lapid Fire

| education =

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| occupation = Radio broadcaster, columnist

| yearsactive = 1985–2022

| employer = DWBL/FBS Radio Network

| spouse = Liza Santiago

| children = 6

| website =

}}

Percival Carag Mabasa (March 14, 1959 – October 3, 2022), known professionally as Percy Lapid ({{IPA|tl|ˈpɛɾsi ˈlapid|lang}}), was a Filipino journalist and radio broadcaster.{{cite web |title=Popular Philippine radio journalist gunned down in Manila |url=https://rsf.org/en/popular-philippine-radio-journalist-gunned-down-manila |publisher=Reporters Without Borders |date=October 4, 2022 |access-date=October 4, 2022}} He was a critic of President Bongbong Marcos and his predecessor, Rodrigo Roa Duterte.{{cite news |last1=Cueto |first1=Francis Earl |last2=Maralit |first2=Kristina |last3=Cua |first3=Aric John Sy |title=P500K reward for arrest of Lapid killers |url=https://www.manilatimes.net/2022/10/07/news/national/p500k-reward-for-arrest-of-lapid-killers/1861180 |access-date=7 October 2022 |work=The Manila Times |date=7 October 2022 |language=en}} He hosted the radio program Lapid Fire on DWBL, where he tackled cases of corruption.{{Cite web |title=LAPID FIRE ni Percy Lapid - YouTube |url=https://www.youtube.com/c/LAPIDFIREniPercyLapid/videos |access-date=2022-10-10 |website=www.youtube.com}} He disclosed irregularities related to the Sugar Regulatory Administration's aborted order to import sugar during a sugar crisis. The scandal faced by the Marcos administration led to the resignation of Vic Rodriguez, the executive secretary of the Sugar Regulatory Administration, in September 2022.

Lapid was a vocal critic of red-tagging, a practice where the government attempts to silence journalists and other dissenters by accusing them of being communists.{{Cite news |last=Ore |first=Jonathan |date=October 6, 2022 |title=Journalists in the Philippines fear for their safety after popular commentator gunned down |work=CBC Radio |url=https://www.cbc.ca/radio/asithappens/journalists-in-the-philippines-fear-for-their-safety-after-popular-commentator-gunned-down-1.6607037 |access-date=November 5, 2022}}{{Cite news |last=Cruz |first=James Patrick |date=October 4, 2022 |title=Who is the slain broadcast journalist Percy Lapid? |work=Interaksyon |url=https://interaksyon.philstar.com/trends-spotlights/2022/10/04/230482/who-is-the-slain-broadcast-journalist-percy-lapid/ |access-date=November 5, 2022}} He was also an outspoken opponent of disinformation in the Philippines and the government's war on drugs.

In addition to serving as host for the DWBL radio network, over a period of almost four decades Lapid was a radio reporter and commentator for DWXI, DZME, DWBC, DZRM, DWIZ, and DZRJ, and a columnist for the tabloid Hataw.

Assassination

{{Further|Violence against journalists in the Philippines|List of journalists killed in the Philippines|Extrajudicial killings and forced disappearances in the Philippines}}

Percy Lapid was killed on October 3, 2022, at around 8:30 pm (UTC+8) while he was driving home to BF Resort Village, a gated community in Las Piñas. There was a traffic buildup at the subdivision's gate near Aria Street in Barangay Talon 2 because of the routine inspection of all vehicles for a sticker required for entry into the subdivision.{{cite news |title='Person of interest' sa pagpaslang kay Percy Lapid, tukoy na|trans-title='Person of interest' regarding the killing of Percy Lapid, identified |url=https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/10/07/22/person-of-interest-sa-pagpaslang-kay-percy-lapid-tukoy-na |access-date=7 October 2022 |work=ABS-CBN News |date=7 October 2022 |language=fil}}{{cite news |last1=Peralta-Malonzo |first1=Third Anne |title=P1.5M bounty on the head of the radioman's killer |url=https://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/1942739/manila/local-news/p15m-bounty-on-head-of-radiomans-killer |access-date=7 October 2022 |work=Sunstar |date=6 October 2022 |language=en}} A motorcycle with two people riding it approached Lapid's vehicle in the queue, and the gunman from the motorcycle fired two shots at Lapid, killing him instantly. Lapid's vehicle was about {{convert|50|m|ft|sp=us}} from the gate when the shooting occurred.

Lapid was the third journalist in the Philippines to be killed in 2022, according to data from UNESCO,{{cite web |title=Asesinan al popular periodista filipino Percy Lapid, crítico con la clase política del país |url=https://www.publico.es/internacional/asesinan-popular-periodista-filipino-percy-lapid-critico-clase-politica-pais.html |website=Público |date=October 4, 2022 |access-date=October 4, 2022 |language=es}} and the second during the presidency of Bongbong Marcos, according to the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines.{{cite news |title='Person of interest' unveiled in Percy Lapid murder case |url=https://www.thestar.com.my/aseanplus/aseanplus-news/2022/10/07/person-of-interest-unveiled-in-percy-lapid-murder-case |access-date=7 October 2022 |work=The Star |agency=Philippine Daily Inquirer, Asia News Network |date=7 October 2022 |language=en}}

Perpetrators

Witnesses saw two men on a motorcycle carry out the killing.{{cite news |title=Police tracking down a person of interest in Percy Lapid's slay |url=https://mb.com.ph/2022/10/07/police-tracking-down-person-of-interest-in-percy-lapids-slay/ |access-date=7 October 2022 |work=Manila Bulletin |date=7 October 2022}} The police identified one "person-of-interest", a man wearing a pink jacket who was walking near the Las Piñas City Hall, about five minutes from Lapid's home. Department of the Interior and Local Government Secretary Benhur Abalos believed that the killer was a professional gunman.

Joel Escorial surrendered to the authorities on October 17, 2022, and confessed to being the gunman in Lapid's killing.{{cite news |title=Suspect in Percy Lapid killing surrenders |url=https://www.cnnphilippines.com/news/2022/10/18/percy-lapid-suspected-gunman-surrenders.html |publisher=CNN Philippines |date=October 18, 2022 |access-date=October 18, 2022 |archive-date=October 18, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221018045140/https://www.cnnphilippines.com/news/2022/10/18/percy-lapid-suspected-gunman-surrenders.html |url-status=dead }} He implicated brothers Edmon and Israel Dimaculangan as his partners in crime, and stated that they received orders from an individual named "Orlando" or "Orly", who in turn answered to another person who was incarcerated in the New Bilibid Prison,{{cite news |last1=Pinlac |first1=Beatrice |title=Percy Lapid slay case: Gunman says 'someone from Bilibid' gave kill order |url=https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1681376/percy-lapid-slay-case-gunman-says-someone-from-bilibid-gave-kill-order |access-date=21 October 2022 |newspaper=Philippine Daily Inquirer |date=18 October 2022 |language=en}} later identified as Jun Villamor.{{efn|name=villamor-name|Name varies by source:{{cite news |last1=Gregorio |first1=Xave |title=What we know so far: The 'middlemen' in Percy Lapid's killing |url=https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2022/10/21/2218346/what-we-know-so-far-middlemen-percy-lapids-killing |access-date=30 October 2022 |work=The Philippine Star}}

Department of Justice (DOJ) statement: Crisanto Palana Villamor
Bureau of Corrections: Jun Globa Villamor
DOJ Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla: Jun Garcia Villamor

}} Christopher Bacoto, also known as Jerry Sandoval, was alleged to have been another middleman who tasked Escorial, the Dimaculangan brothers, and "Orly", with the killing of Lapid.{{cite news |last1=Gregorio |first1=Xave |title=What we know so far: The 'middlemen' in Percy Lapid's killing |url=https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2022/10/21/2218346/what-we-know-so-far-middlemen-percy-lapids-killing |access-date=30 October 2022 |work=The Philippine Star}}

The Philippines' National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) filed charges against several people in connection with Lapid's death, including Bureau of Corrections Director General Gerald Bantag, who was formally charged with murder.{{cite news |title=Prison chief accused of killing Philippine journalist who broadcast expose on prison |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-11-07/prison-chief-accused-of-murdering-filipino-journalist/101626260 |access-date=7 November 2022 |work=ABC News |agency=Agence France-Presse |date=7 November 2022 |language=en-AU}}{{cite news |title=Suspended BuCor chief's alleged right-hand man in Percy Lapid slay goes into hiding |url=https://www.cnnphilippines.com/news/2022/11/7/Bantag-Zulueta-Percy-Lapid-BuCor.html |access-date=7 November 2022 |work=CNN Philippines |date=7 November 2022 |archive-date=November 7, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221107172241/https://www.cnnphilippines.com/news/2022/11/7/Bantag-Zulueta-Percy-Lapid-BuCor.html |url-status=dead }} Bantag maintained his innocence and alleged that drug lord German Agojo was responsible for the killing.{{cite news |last1=Garcia |first1=Danilo |title=Bantag: Drug lord nasa likod ng Lapid slay |url=https://www.philstar.com/pilipino-star-ngayon/bansa/2022/11/12/2223259/bantag-drug-lord-nasa-likod-ng-lapid-slay |access-date=12 November 2022 |work=Pilipino Star Ngayon |publisher=The Philippine Star |date=12 November 2022 |language=fil}}

In March 2023, the Department of Justice indicted a total of seventeen individuals over the killing of Lapid and the subsequent murder of Jun Villamor. Double murder charges were filed separately before the Regional Trial Courts of Muntinlupa (in the case of Villamor, on March 13) and Las Piñas (in the case of Lapid, on March 14).{{cite news |last=Damicog |first=Jeffrey |title=Double murder cases vs Bantag, others filed before Las Pinas City, Muntinlupa City RTCs |url=https://mb.com.ph/2023/3/14/double-murder-cases-vs-bantag-others-filed-before-las-pinas-city-muntinlupa-city-rt-cs |access-date=15 March 2023 |work=Manila Bulletin |date=15 March 2023}} The panel of prosecutors said it found probable cause to charge Bantag and his deputy, Sr. Supt. Ricardo Zulueta, as "principals by inducement". Also indicted as principals were:{{cite news |title=Bantag, Zulueta, kinasuhan na ng DOJ sa pagpatay kay Percy Lapid na kaarawan ngayon |url=https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/balitambayan/balita/863844/bantag-zulueta-kinasuhan-na-ng-doj-sa-pagpatay-kay-percy-lapid-na-kaarawan-ngayon/story/ |access-date=14 March 2023 |work=GMA News |publisher=GMA Network |date=14 March 2023 |language=fil}}{{cite news |last=Patag |first=Kristine Joy |title=DOJ indicts Bantag, several others over killing of Percy Lapid, inmate Jun Villamor |url=https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2023/03/14/2251641/doj-indicts-bantag-several-others-over-killing-percy-lapid-inmate-jun-villamor |access-date=14 March 2023 |work=Philstar.com |publisher=The Philippine Star |date=14 March 2023}}

Two "persons deprived of liberty" (PDLs) involved in both cases (by indispensable cooperation in Lapid's case; by inducement in Villamor's case).
In Lapid's case: four by direct participation, including Escorial; three more PDLs by indispensable cooperation.
In Villamor's case: six PDLs by direct participation.

In April, Muntinlupa Regional Trial Court Branch 266 issued an arrest warrant for Bantag and Zulueta for the murder of Villamor. Las Piñas RTC Branch 254 issued the same for those two as well as the Dimaculangan brothers and alias Orly/Orlando for the murder of Lapid. The manhunt for them is ongoing.{{cite news |last=Torres–Tupas |first=Tetch |title=Arrest warrant out vs Bantag, Zulueta for assassination of Percy Lapid |url=https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1756573/arrest-warrant-out-vs-bantag-zulueta-for-assassination-of-percy-lapid/ |date=April 14, 2023 |work=Inquirer.net |access-date=June 29, 2023}}{{cite news |last=Caliwan |first=Christopher Lloyd |title=PNP chief urges 'fugitive' Bantag to surrender |url=https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1199631 |date=April 18, 2023 |work=Philippine News Agency |publisher=Government of the Philippines |access-date=June 29, 2023}}

Lawyers filed a petition before the Court of Appeals on behalf of Bantag and Zulueta on July 10 (but made public about a month later) asking them to nullify the indictment by the Department of Justice along with the entire preliminary investigation conducted by the DOJ. Bantag claimed that the Ombudsman could do so since the Sandiganbayan appellate court had jurisdiction over him, as a public official.{{cite news |last=San Juan |first=Joel |title=Bantag, Zulueta ask CA to void DOJ resolutions indicting them for Lapid, and Villamor murders |url=https://businessmirror.com.ph/2023/08/08/bantag-zulueta-ask-ca-to-void-doj-resolutions-indicting-them-for-lapid-and-villamor-murders/ |date=August 8, 2023 |work=BusinessMirror |access-date=August 15, 2023}} Bantag claimed that there was no evidence linking him to the death of Lapid.{{cite news |last=Navallo |first=Mike |title='No direct link:' Bantag questions DOJ indictment before CA |url=https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/08/08/23/bantag-questions-doj-indictment-before-ca |date=August 8, 2023 |work=ABS-CBN News |access-date=August 15, 2023}}

Zulueta reportedly died due to heart failure (cerebrovascular disease intracranial hemorrhage according to his death certificate) at the Bataan Peninsula Medical Center in Dinalupihan, Bataan, on March 15, 2024.{{cite news |last=Bolledo |first=Jairo |title='Ex-BuCor official, suspect in Percy Lapid killing, dies |url=https://www.rappler.com/philippines/former-bucor-official-ricardo-zulueta-suspect-percy-lapid-killing-dead/ |date=March 16, 2024 |work=Rappler |access-date=May 6, 2024}}{{cite news |last=Caliwan |first=Christopher Lloyd |title=Police: No foul play in Zulueta death |url=https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1221053 |date=March 18, 2024 |work=Philippine News Agency |access-date=May 6, 2024}} The PNP later said there was no foul play in his death, while the DOJ ordered the NBI to investigate the circumstances surrounding his death.{{cite news |last=Pulta |first=Benjamin |title=DOJ orders NBI to look into circumstances of Zulueta's death |url=https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1221215 |date=March 20, 2024 |work=Philippine News Agency |access-date=May 6, 2024}} In May, the Las Piñas RTC ordered Zulueta's counsel to address the prosecution's request for an autopsy.

On April 5, the NBI raided two safe houses in Santa Rosa and Caloocan cities in an unsuccessful attempt to arrest Bantag.{{cite news |last=Villeza |first=Mark Ernest |title=NBI raids Bantag houses |url=https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2024/04/06/2345674/nbi-raids-bantag-houses |date=April 6, 2024 |newspaper=The Philippine Star |access-date=April 6, 2024}}

After a manhunt operation for alleged Escorial's accomplice, alias Orly, on August 11, the subject fatally shot himself after holding his family hostage in a rented room during a police operation in Lipa, Batangas. He was later variously identified as Jake Mendoza{{cite news |title=Alleged accomplice of gunman in Percy Lapid slay dies during serving of warrant |url=https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/regions/916686/alleged-accomplice-of-gunman-in-percy-lapid-slay-dies-during-serving-of-warrant/story/ |date=August 11, 2024 |work=GMA Integrated News |access-date=August 11, 2024}} and Orlando Almanor.{{cite news |last=Recuenco |first=Aaron |title=Percy Lapid killing suspect dies after a hostage drama in Batangas |url=https://mb.com.ph/2024/8/11/percy-lapid-killing-suspect-dies-after-a-hostage-drama-in-batangas |date=August 11, 2024 |newspaper=Manila Bulletin |access-date=August 11, 2024}}

Investigation

The Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Commission on Human Rights opened investigations into the killing.{{Cite web|url=https://www.cnnphilippines.com/news/2022/10/4/Percy-Lapid-shooting.html|title=Probes launched into killing of broadcaster Percy Lapid|publisher=CNN Philippines|date=October 4, 2022|access-date=October 7, 2022|archive-date=October 8, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221008043745/https://www.cnnphilippines.com/news/2022/10/4/Percy-Lapid-shooting.html|url-status=dead}} The PNP reviewed CCTV cameras along the known route taken by Lapid, the dashcam on the victim's vehicle, and Lapid's cellphone, and interviewed the victim's family.{{cite news |title=Cellphone ng pinatay na radio broadcaster na si Percy Lapid, hindi nakitaan ng anumang ebidensya – NCRPO |trans-title=No evidence seen in cellphone of slain radio broadcaster Percy Lapid – NCRPO|url=https://rmn.ph/cellphone-ng-pinatay-na-radio-broadcaster-na-si-percy-lapid-hindi-nakitaan-ng-anumang-ebidensya-ncrpo/ |access-date=7 October 2022 |work=RMN Networks |agency=RadyoMaN Manila |date=7 October 2022|language=fil}} The PNP's National Capital Region Police Office stated that they had not found any evidence on Lapid's cellphone and that Lapid's family was not aware of any threats to the journalist's life. The police did not determine a motive for the killing.

When Joel Escorial surrendered to authorities on October 17, 2022, he named Jun Villamor{{efn|name=villamor-name}} as his contact inside the New Bilibid Prison. Villamor died on October 18. The Bureau of Corrections' initial investigation concluded that Villamor died of natural causes and not as a result of foul play. The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) conducted an autopsy and found no signs of external injury on Villamor's body. This was, however, contradicted by the findings of a second autopsy conducted by forensic pathologist Raquel Fortun, who concluded that Villamor died of suffocation from a plastic bag.{{cite news |title=NBI autopsy on alleged middleman in Lapid slay finds no signs of external injuries |url=https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2022/10/22/2218572/nbi-autopsy-alleged-middleman-lapid-slay-finds-no-signs-external-injuries |access-date=30 October 2022 |work=The Philippine Star |date=22 October 2022}}{{cite news |last1=Gregorio |first1=Xave |title='Middleman' in Lapid slay died from suffocation by plastic bag, the second autopsy reveals |url=https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2022/10/29/2220164/middleman-lapid-slay-died-suffocation-plastic-bag-second-autopsy-reveals |access-date=30 October 2022 |work=The Philippine Star |date=29 October 2022}}

President Marcos ordered Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla to place Bureau of Corrections Director General Gerald Bantag under preventive suspension for 90 days pending investigation of his role in the killing.{{cite news |last1=Torres-Tupas |first1=Tetch |title=DOJ chief Remulla suspends BuCor director general Gerald Bantag |url=https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1683133/soj-remulla-suspends-bucor-chief-gerald-bantag |access-date=7 November 2022 |newspaper=Philippine Daily Inquirer |date=21 October 2022 |language=en}} From sworn statements from certain "persons deprived of liberty" (PDLs) the NBI established that there was a direct line of communication between Bantag and deputy security officer Ricardo Zulueta and Escorial through middlemen Alvin Labra and gang leader Aldrin Galicia. Lapid's criticism of Bantag on his radio program Lapid Fire was cited as a possible motive for the killing.

Trial status

For the murder of Percy Lapid, four of five co-accused charged as principals by indispensable cooperation, all NBP PDLs, have been convicted by the Las Piñas RTC through plea bargaining where they pleaded guilty as accessories to the crime, and sentenced to 2–8 years imprisonment.{{cite news |last=Lazaro |first=Jacob |title=Fourth person convicted over slay of Percy Lapid |url=https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1872359/fourth-person-convicted-over-slay-of-percy-lapid |date=December 8, 2023 |newspaper=Philippine Daily Inquirer |access-date=December 8, 2023}} They are Aldrin Galicia, Alvin Labra and Alfie Peñaredonda, all NBP gang leaders, on June 23, 2023;{{cite news |last=Damicog |first=Jeffrey |title=3 Bilibid PDLs plead guilty as accessories in Percy Lapid killing; sentenced to 2 to 8 years imprisonment |url=https://mb.com.ph/2023/6/23/3-bilibid-pd-ls-plead-guilty-as-accessories-in-percy-lapid-killing-sentenced-to-2-to-8-years-imprisonment |date=June 23, 2023 |newspaper=Manila Bulletin |access-date=December 8, 2023}} and Denver Mayores, reportedly Bantag's aide, on December 4.{{cite news |last=Laqui |first=Ian |title=Accomplice in Percy Lapid murder case gets 2-8 years in prison |url=https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2023/12/07/2317171/accomplice-percy-lapid-murder-case-gets-2-8-years-prison |date=December 7, 2023 |work=Philstar.com |access-date=December 8, 2023}}{{cite news |last=Bolledo |first=Jairo |title=Bantag 'aide' sentenced to up to 8 years over Percy Lapid's killing |url=https://www.rappler.com/philippines/bantag-aide-sentenced-percy-lapid-killing/ |date=December 5, 2023 |work=Rappler |access-date=December 8, 2023}} The trial of another alleged accomplice, Christoper Bacoto, is yet to be concluded.

Escorial, also through a plea bargain deal, asked the court to downgrade his case from murder to homicide, as well as to lower his penalty; and in May 2024, he was given a prison sentence of 8 years, 8 months to 16 years.{{cite news |last=Bolledo |first=Jairo |title=Self-confessed gunman in Percy Lapid killing gets up to 16 years in prison |url=https://www.rappler.com/philippines/joel-escorial-self-confessed-gunman-percy-lapid-killing-jail-time/ |date=May 6, 2024 |work=Rappler |access-date=May 6, 2024}}

For the killing of Villamor, all eight accused PDLs pleaded guilty of being accomplices and accessories in the murder. On June 27, 2023 the Muntinlupa RTC Branch 206 gave prison sentences to five of them ranging from six years and a day to at least 14 years, and sentenced the rest, including Labra and Galicia, both indicted as principal inducement, to between two years and eight years and a day.{{cite news |last=Torres–Tupas |first=Tetch |title=Court imposes jail terms on Bantag's co-accused over Bilibid prisoner's death |url=https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1794965/court-imposes-jail-terms-on-bantags-5-co-accused-over-bilibid-prisoners-death/ |date=June 29, 2023 |work=Inquirer.net |access-date=June 29, 2023}}{{cite news |last=Damicog |first=Jeffrey |title=Muntinlupa City RTC convicts 8 co-accused of Bantag, Zulueta in killing of Bilibid inmate |url=https://mb.com.ph/2023/6/29/muntinlupa-city-rtc-convicts-8-co-accused-of-bantag-zulueta-in-killing-of-bilibid-inmate |date=June 29, 2023 |work=Manila Bulletin |access-date=June 29, 2023}}

On the same day, the court issued an order archiving the case against Bantag and Zulueta, pending their arrest for the death of Villamor.{{cite news |last=Torres–Tupas |first=Tetch |title=Bantag's case archived pending arrest over Bilibid inmate's death |url=https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1795097/former-bucor-chief-bantags-case-archived-pending-arrest-over-death-of-bilibid-inmate/ |date=June 29, 2023 |work=Inquirer.net |access-date=June 29, 2023}}

Reactions

=Initial reactions=

Lapid's killing received condemnation both domestically and internationally from foreign governments and media organizations.{{cite news |last1=Cua |first1=Aric John Sy |title=NUJP condemns broadcast journalist's killing |url=https://www.manilatimes.net/2022/10/04/latest-stories/nujp-condemns-broadcast-journalists-killing/1860900 |access-date=October 5, 2022 |work=The Manila Times |date=October 4, 2022 |language=en}}{{cite news | url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/10/04/world/asia/percy-lapid-philippines-murder.html | title=Journalist Who Criticized Marcos is Fatally Shot in the Philippines | newspaper=The New York Times | date=October 4, 2022 | last1=Gutierrez | first1=Jason | last2=Ives | first2=Mike }}{{cite news|url=https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/multimedia/photo/10/04/22/media-groups-condemn-killing-of-percy-lapid|title=Media groups condemn killing of broadcaster Percy Lapid|last=Sepe Jr.|first=Fernando G.|publisher=ABS-CBN News|date=October 4, 2022}}{{cite web | url=https://mb.com.ph/2022/10/04/foreign-govts-warn-of-chilling-effect-after-percy-lapids-killing/ | title=Foreign gov'ts warn of 'chilling effect' after Percy Lapid's killing |last=Pedrajas |first=Joseph | website=Manila Bulletin | date=October 4, 2022 }}{{cite news |last1=Fernandez |first1=Daniza |title=Foreign nations express 'grave concern' over slay of broadcaster Percy Lapid |url=https://globalnation.inquirer.net/207529/foreign-nations-express-grave-concern-on-broadcaster-percy-lapid-slay#ixzz7gtq8U1Ss |access-date=7 October 2022 |newspaper=Philippine Daily Inquirer |date=4 October 2022 |language=en}}{{cite news |last1=Mendoza |first1=John Eric |title='Speaking the truth is dangerous' in PH: Percy Lapid killing sparks condemnation |url=https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1674764/speaking-truth-dangerous-in-ph-killing-of-percy-lapid-sparks-torrent-of-condemnation#ixzz7gtq23G00 |access-date=7 October 2022 |newspaper=Philippine Daily Inquirer |date=4 October 2022 |language=en}} Media watchdogs and human rights organizations noted that the Philippines is one of the most dangerous countries in the world for journalists.{{Cite web |last=Rai |first=Arpan |date=2022-10-05 |title=Global outcry as journalist and fierce critic Percy Lapid shot dead in Philippines |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/asia/southeast-asia/philippines-percy-lapid-mabasa-death-b2195849.html |access-date=2022-10-10 |website=The Independent |language=en}} According to the Committee to Protect Journalists' Global Impunity Index, 85 journalists were killed in the Philippines from 1992 to 2021, making the Philippines the seventh worst country in the world in terms of the number of journalists murdered, with most of their killers going unpunished.{{Cite web |last=Villanueva |first=Brooke |date=2022-10-04 |title='Stop killing journalists': Shock, outrage over murder of broadcaster Percy Lapid |url=https://philstarlife.com/news-and-views/852498-stop-killing-journalists-shock-outrage-murder-broadcaster-percy-lapid?page=4 |access-date=2022-10-10 |website=l!fe • The Philippine Star}}

The killing was called an attack on press freedom by some observers, such as former Vice President Leni Robredo and lawmakers Risa Hontiveros, Robin Padilla, France Castro, and Neri Colmenares.{{Cite web |last=de Leon |first=Dwight |date=2022-10-04 |title='Attack on press freedom': Killing of broadcaster Percy Lapid ignites outcry |url=https://www.rappler.com/nation/reactions-statements-killing-broadcaster-percy-lapid/ |access-date=2022-11-05 |website=Rappler |language=en-US}} The killing has had a chilling effect on the media, according to media watchdogs and other observers.{{Cite web |date=2022-10-26 |title=Is Percy Lapid's murder a bellwether for the Philippines? |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/podcasts/2022/10/26/is-percy-lapids-murder-a-bellwether-for-the-philippines |access-date=2022-11-05 |website=Al Jazeera |language=en}}{{Cite news |last=Fernandez |first=Daniza |date=2022-10-24 |title=Percy Lapid slay case still stands on thin ice – Drilon |url=https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1684125/fwd-percy-lapid-slay-case-still-stands-on-thin-ice-drilon |access-date=2022-11-05 |newspaper=Philippine Daily Inquirer |language=en}}

Department of the Interior and Local Government Secretary Benhur Abalos offered {{Philippine peso|500 thousand}} of his own money to anyone who could provide information that would aid the investigations into the incident. As of October 10, 2022, the cash bounty stood at {{Philippine peso|6.5 million}}, with {{Philippine peso|1 million}} from lawyer, businessman and Partido Federal ng Pilipinas Manila Chapter chairman Alex Lopez{{Cite news |last=Pinlac |first=Beatrice |date=October 7, 2022 |title=Reward for leads in Percy Lapid killing now P1.5M |newspaper=Philippine Daily Inquirer |url=https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1676650/reward-for-leads-in-percy-lapid-killing-now-at-p1-5m |access-date=October 14, 2022}}{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/100050604694427/posts/pfbid0jfjbqzCeMKetdoT8H4BTWwVdeBbMd9xCmCxn3tyYJSXYtRQzYGz1BZXMtVyNEmJql/|title=Atty. Alex Lopez's post re the reward|website=Facebook|date=October 6, 2022|accessdate=October 18, 2022|lang=tl}} and {{Philippine peso|5 million}} contributed by members of the House of Representatives.{{Cite news |last=Antonio |first=Raymund |date=October 9, 2022 |title=House offers P5-M reward for the arrest of Percy Lapid's killers |work=Manila Bulletin |url=https://mb.com.ph/2022/10/09/house-offers-p5-m-reward-for-the-arrest-of-percy-lapids-killers/ |access-date=October 14, 2022}}

The killing of Percy Lapid was condemned by the Director-General of UNESCO Audrey Azoulay in a press-release published on 6 October 2022.{{Cite web |last=O'Hagan |first=Clare |date=6 October 2022 |title=Director-General condemns killing of journalists Renato Blanco and Percival Mabasa in the Philippines |url=https://www.unesco.org/en/articles/director-general-condemns-killing-journalists-renato-blanco-and-percival-mabasa-philippines |access-date=14 June 2023 |website=UNESCO}} UNESCO’s mandate to “promote the free flow of ideas by word and image” includes the protection of journalists and media workers from attacks and reprisals.{{Cite web |title=Communication and Information |url=https://www.unesco.org/en/communication-information |access-date=14 June 2023 |website=UNESCO}}{{Cite web |title=Safety of journalists |url=https://www.unesco.org/en/safety-journalists |access-date=14 June 2023 |website=UNESCO}} The facts and circumstances surrounding the killing are categorized and archived online in UNESCO’s Observatory of Killed Journalists.{{Cite web |title=Observatory of Killed Journalists |url=https://www.unesco.org/en/safety-journalists/observatory?hub=72609 |access-date=14 June 2023 |website=UNESCO}} The Observatory archives publicly accessible information on all the journalists killed in relation to their duties since 1997.

=Charging of Gerald Bantag=

File:USEC-GERALD-Q-BANTAG (cropped).jpg]]

President Bongbong Marcos expressed concern over Gerald Bantag's involvement in the case, remarked that he had established "his own fiefdom" in the prison while he was Bureau of Corrections chief, and vowed that investigations of the case will continue.{{cite news |last1=Pedrajas |first1=Joseph |title=Bantag 'established own fiefdom in prison' — Marcos |url=https://mb.com.ph/2022/11/09/bantag-established-own-fiefdom-in-prison-marcos/ |access-date=12 November 2022 |work=Manila Bulletin |date=9 November 2022}} Bantag expressed doubt that Marcos was being provided truthful information regarding the case and urged Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla to step down. Bantag accused him of manufacturing a motive in order to implicate him.{{cite news |title=Bantag to Marcos: Totoo ba ang pini-feed sa yo? |url=https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/851148/bantag-to-marcos-totoo-ba-ang-pini-feed-sa-yo/story/ |access-date=12 November 2022 |work=GMA News |agency=GMA Integrated News |date=11 November 2022 |language=en}}