Percy Lapid, a well-known radio journalist and broadcaster, was murdered when he was on his way to his home in Las Piñas, Metro Manila, the Philippines, on October 3, 2022. The deceased broadcaster was about 63 years old at the time of his death.
Keep reading this article to learn more about Percy Lapid, how he died, who Joel Estorial is, and more!
Who is Percy Lapid?
Percival Carag Mabasa, who is known by most as Percy Lapid, was a well-known journalist and radio journalist from the Philippines. He was born on March 14, 1959 and was a resident of Las Pinas, Metro Manila, the Philippines.
Percy was an opponent of Rodrigo Duterte and President Bongbong Marcos. He used to address issues related to corruption quite frequently as host of the radio program “Lapid Fire” which was broadcasted at DWBL.
What happened to Percy Lapid?
Percy Lapid, 63, was shot dead at around 8:30 pm on October 3, 2022, when the broadcaster was driving back to his home in the gated enclave of BF Resort Village, in Las Piñas, Metro Manila.
When he was driving back to his home, there was traffic at the gate near Aria Street in Barangay Talon 2, since passing vehicles are checked for the sticker needed to enter the subdivision. Due to this, he was stuck in line for the sticker inspection.
During this, a motorcycle with two people suddenly approached his vehicle, after which a gunman proceeded to fire two shots at the radio broadcaster that led to the instant death of Percy Lapid. His vehicle was just 50 metres away from the check gate when all this happened.
Who is Joel Estorial? Suspect in the killing of Percy Lapid
Joel Estorial is one of the three suspects in Percy Lapid’s murder. He was the suspect who shot the broadcaster near his home on October 3, 2022. The 39-year-old, Joel Estorial, surrendered to the Philippine National Police on Monday, October 17.
The news of Joel Estorial’s surrender in the Percy Lapid murder case was first reported by Jairo Bollado, a well-known journalist for @rapplerdotcom, on his Twitter handle. He wrote, “BREAKING: Interior chief Benhur Abalos says the person of interest in the killing of Percy Lapid surrenders to the authorities.” Abalos says Joel Estorial, from Quezon City, surrendered “out of fear.” Estorial also made an extrajudicial confession, Abalos adds.
Abalos says Estorial pointed two other individuals on the killing of Lapid. They are Edmon and Israel Dimaculangan. pic.twitter.com/OJ6ibwnveY
— Jairo Bolledo (@jairojourno) October 18, 2022
What did Joel Estorial say?
In an official news conference by Philippine National Police, at Camp Crame in Quezon City on Tuesday, October 18, Interior Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr., confirmed that the suspect, Joel Estorial, turned himself in to the Philippine National Police “due to fear of personal safety” on Monday, October 17, 2022.
The suspect, Joel Estorial, is under police custody and has executed an extrajudicial affidavit with the assistance of a lawyer. The secretary also pointed out that the empty slugs recovered from the crime scene matched the gun of this suspect.
Estorial said that he surrendered himself to the police authorities after seeing a wanted poster with his photo released and being aired on television. “I got scared and felt guilty,” he admitted with tears. He then confessed that he, along with three other suspects at large, was responsible for the killing of the radioman, Percy Lapid.
Estorial identified one of the other two suspects as Edmon Dimaculangan. He, however, noted that he did not know the surname of “Orlando,” who was driving the motorcycle during the incident.
Our agreement was that whoever would be stationed closest to the broadcaster would shoot him and that happened to be me. When asked who ordered them to kill Percy Lapid, Estorial replied, “Someone from inside the Bilibid Prison.” At the end of the conference, he sought forgiveness from Percy Lapid’s family.
We also express our deepest condolences to the family, friends, and all admirers of the late broadcaster, Percy Lapid. We pray to the almighty to let his soul rest in peace on the wings of eternity.
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