Bantag lawyer claims 'fatal' flaw in subpoena for Percy Lapid probe
MANILA, Philippines — The lawyer of suspended Bureau of Corrections Director General Gerald Bantag, who is accused of masterminding the killing of broadcaster Percy Lapid, claimed that the subpoena issued to his client had a “fatal” flaw, one which prosecutors said was addressed during a hearing on Wednesday.
Bantag’s lawyer, Rocky Balisong, said the subpoena that prosecutors issued for the embattled corrections chief had the wrong middle name — Soriano instead of Quitaleg.
“That is fatal because it refers to two different individuals. Definitely, Gerald Bantag y Soriano is not our client, it is Gerald Bantag y Quitaleg,” Balisong said.
According to Senior Assistant State Prosecutor Charlie Guhit, Balisong raised this during the hearing for the preliminary probe on the killing of Lapid and the alleged middleman in his fatal ambush, New Bilibid Prison inmate Jun Villamor.
“This issue was addressed by the panel during the hearing. Also, another subpoena was issued by the Panel and was accordingly received by Atty. Balisong,” Guhit said.
Meanwhile, lawyers for inmates involved in the case said that their clients will either re-affirm their affidavits or submit counter-affidavits in the next hearing on December 5, according to Guhit.
Guhit also said that the National Bureau of Investigation will be filing additional evidence. The prosecution panel directed the NBI to give all respondents copies of the supplemental evidence five days before the next hearing.
BuCor deputy security officer Ricardo Zulueta, supposedly the Bantag’s right-hand man, and brothers Edmon Dimaculangan and Israel Dimaculangan, who are also allegedly involved in the killing of Lapid, did not attend the hearing.
Bantag has vehemently denied allegations that he is behind Lapid and Villamor’s killings and instead is pointing to a convicted drug lord as the culprit. — with a report from Kristine Joy Patag
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