Prosecutors have submitted for resolution the case of the killing of broadcaster Percy Lapid and alleged middleman Cristito Villamor after accused mastermind of the killing, former Bureau of Corrections chief Gerald Bantag, had submitted his counter-affidavit.
This was according to Department of Justice’s Senior Assistant State Prosecutor Charlie Guhit.
Atty. Rocky Balisong, counsel of Bantag, stood pat on their position questioning the DoJ’s jurisdiction over the case and said they will not abandon their motion for inhibition before the proper authorities.
Balisong also pointed out “several inconsistencies” in the testimonies of Escorial and the persons deprived of liberty in their counter-affidavit.
He cited the statement of the gunman saying that as of 5 September they are already talking about killing Lapid.
“And then here comes the statement of the two PDLs, Gallicia and Labra, stating that they came up with an agreement for the killing of Percy Lapid on the second week of September,” he added.
Meanwhile, Guhit said the other respondents have not submitted their counter-affidavits, but the case has been submitted for resolution anyway.
He said Atty. Julieta Puday, a counsel of Zulueta, was furnished a complete set of the document for purposes of the preliminary investigation.
“So it’s up to them on how to act or proceed with their case,” Guhit said.
Meanwhile, Guhit said the PDLs who are respondents in the complaints have submitted their affidavits as their counter affidavits.
Likewise, he said Christopher Bacoto, another alleged middleman in the killing, also submitted a counter affidavit.
Joel Escorial has no counter affidavit except the affidavit he executed in connection with the case.
Those who also did not submit their counter affidavits are Escorial’s alleged accomplices — Israel Dimaculangan, Edmund Dimaculangan, and a certain Orlando.
Lapid was shot dead in Las Piñas City on 3 October while Villamor died at the New Bilibid Prison shortly after Escorial pointed to him as the middleman.