Ex-BuCor official, suspect in Percy Lapid slay, dies

The Philippine National Police on Saturday said former Bureau of Corrections deputy security officer Ricardo Zulueta — a co-accused in the killing of broadcaster Percival “Percy Lapid” Mabasa — died due to heart failure on March 15.

Zulueta died at the Bataan Peninsula Medical Center in Brgy. San Ramon, Dinalupihan, Bataan, the PNP said.

Based on the initial police report, Zulueta was rushed to the hospital by his brother, Ronald, and was declared dead by his attending physician, Dr. Jollybenson Alami.

Zulueta, together with former BuCor director general Gerald Bantag, was accused of killing the radio broadcaster and commentator.

Roy Mabasa, the brother of Lapid, said ‘’an independent autopsy report would assuage the public that we are indeed after the truth.’’

‘’We would like the PNP to ascertain the real cause of his death since he was originally tagged as one of the masterminds in the killing of @lapidfire,’’ Mabasa said on X.

He also disclosed the hearing against Bantag set for March 18, 2024 was suspended anew following the request of prosecutors.

Last year, prosecutors indicted Bantag and Zulueta for two counts of murder for the killing of Lapid and alleged middleman Jun Villamor.

They also found probable cause to indict self-confessed gunman Joel Escorial, Israel Dimaculangan, Edmon Dimaculangan, and a certain Orlando for murder as principals by direct participation.

Lapid was shot dead by two suspects onboard a motorcycle on the evening of October 3, 2022, in Las Piñas City.

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