Percival “Percy Lapid” Mabasa . - videograb from Facebook page of Percy Lapid Fire
MANILA (Philippine Daily Inquirer/Asia News Network): The gunman in the fatal ambush of Percival Mabasa, more popularly known as Percy Lapid, has surrendered to police authorities.
On Tuesday (Oct 18), Interior Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr confirmed that the 39-year-old suspect, Joel Estorial, is under the custody of the Philippine National Police “out of fear for personal safety.”
In a news conference at Camp Crame in Quezon City, Estorial faced reporters and admitted that he, along with three other suspects at large – Israel and Edmon Dimaculangan, and a certain “Orlando,” were responsible for the killing of the veteran radioman.
Lapid was gunned down by motorcycle-riding men at the gate of a Las Pinas City village on Oct 3, Monday.
He hosted a radio news programme, “Lapid Fire” on DWBL 1242, where he was known for his hard-hitting criticisms of the government.
According to the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines, he is the second journalist killed under the Marcos administration.
