Lapid slay probe won't stop until Marcos is 'satisfied'

• Published date: 09 November 2022
• Publication title: Philippines News agency

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Wednesday said he wants authorities to take a closer look into the killing of veteran broadcast commentator Percival 'Ka Percy Lapid' Mabasa, adding that the probe will continue until he is satisfied.

He made this remark after the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) on Monday filed murder complaints against suspended Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) chief Gerald Bantag and others in relation to Mabasa's killing.

'We're trying to make sure that we know exactly what this is all about. The more we look, the worst it gets, this…masyadong deadly eh (It's too deadly),' he said in an interview with reporters aboard a plane en route to Cambodia.

Marcos said he was 'bothered' by the tagging of Bantag in the case, adding that Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla and Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos told him that Bantag 'acted like a god' at the BuCor.

'He established his own fiefdom there in the prison. 'Yung galaw niya is (The acted) with no fear of being punished,' he added.

Aside from Bantag, authorities also linked BuCor Deputy Security Officer Ricardo Zulueta to Lapid's death.

The President, however, assured that Bantag's suspension will remain until charges against him are brought to...