Percy Lapid alleged gunman surrenders, identifies accomplices

Joel Escorial, the alleged gunman in the killing of broadcast journalist Percival "Percy Lapid" Mabasa, surrendered to the Philippine National Police (PNP).

Escorial confessed his involvement and identified his accomplices as siblings Edmon and Israel Dimaculangan, and a certain Orlando or Orly.

He stated that the order to kill Mabasa came from an inmate inside the New Bilibid Prisons and he was promised P550,000, with P140,000 wired to his account.

The PNP has filed murder complaints against Escorial and the others, and the firearm used has been recovered and matched to the crime scene.

Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla stated that Escorial may enter the Witness Protection Program if he identifies the mastermind, a move that would be subject to court scrutiny.

Remulla is confident that Escorial's surrender will lead to the identification of the mastermind behind the killing.