Bilibid inmate sentenced to up to 8 years in Percy Lapid murder case

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, December 7) — A New Bilibid Prison (NBP) inmate has been sentenced to another two to eight years in prison after pleading guilty to being an accessory in the murder of radio broadcaster Percival “Percy Lapid” Mabasa, the Department of Justice (DOJ) said on Thursday.

The DOJ said the Las Piñas Regional Trial Court acknowledged inmate Denver Mayores’ “conspiracy with former Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) chief Gerald Bantag and DSO (Deputy Security Officer) Ricardo Zulueta” in the October 2022 killing.

Before pleading guilty to the lesser offense, Mayores initially faced a murder complaint “as a principal by indispensable cooperation.”

Earlier, Bilibid gang leaders Aldrin Galicia, Alvin Labra, and Alfie Peñaredonda were also convicted over Lapid's assassination, which was allegedly masterminded by Bantag. The ex-Bucor chief denied the accusation.

RELATED: Manhunt is on for Bantag, others over Percy Lapid murder — PNP

Meanwhile, self-confessed gunman Joel Escorial has sought to reduce his sentence and be transferred to Abuyog prison in Leyte before making his plea, the DOJ said.

Escorial’s case is expected to be promulgated in February 2024.

“DOJ prosecutors are currently evaluating the potential impact of reducing Escorial's charges from murder to homicide,” the department said.

Lapid was gunned down by a motorcycle-riding tandem on Oct. 3, 2022 in Las Piñas City.

His death sparked not only local but global outrage, with several groups and a number of nations calling on the Philippine government to ensure the perpetrators are held accountable.

READ: TIMELINE: The Percy Lapid slay case