New photo of Lapid’s alleged gunman out

MANILA, Philippines — The National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) yesterday released a new photograph of a suspect believed to be the gunman of hard-hitting radio commentator and columnist Percy Lapid.

The poster of the suspect was taken from closed-circuit television footage obtained by investigators, according to the NCRPO.

The man in the photo was wearing a white face mask, a white shirt and a jacket.

Lapid, whose real name is Percival Mabasa, was shot dead in Barangay Talon Dos, Las Piñas while on his way to work on Oct. 3.

The reward for information leading to the capture of Lapid’s killers reached P6.5 million after Speaker Martin Romualdez announced on Sunday a P5-million bounty, which will come from lawmakers.

Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos earlier offered a reward of P1.5 million.

Lapid was laid to rest at the Manila Memorial Park in Parañaque on Sunday.

Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Rodolfo Azurin said probers are continuously looking into information to solve the case.

“Investigators are thoroughly examining the video footage to ensure that the suspects will be identified,” Azurin told reporters.

Forensic pathologists

Meanwhile, a lawmaker has filed a bill that will provide more forensic pathologists for the PNP and National Bureau of Investigation to immediately resolve crimes, including the murder of Lapid.

Ang Probinsyano party-list Rep. Alfred delos Santos filed House Bill 5129 as the country lacks forensic pathologists.

There are only two forensic pathologists in the Philippines: Raquel Fortun and Cecilia Lim.

“This means that for the entire population, there are only two doctors who are trained to examine cadavers and determine the cause of death,” Delos Santos said. – Sheila Crisostomo