3 Bilibid Gang leaders plead guilty as accessories in Lapid's murder, sentenced to up to 8 years

MANILA, Philippines —  Three leaders of the Bilibid Gang have pleaded guilty to a lesser degree of involvement as accessories in the high-profile murder case of broadcaster Percival Mabasa, more popularly known as Percy Lapid. 

The confirmation of their guilty plea came from a tweet by Lapid's brother, Roy Mabasa, which was verified by a reliable source within the Department of Justice (DOJ).

LAS PIÑAS CITY RTC Judge Harold Hulinganga sentenced three inmates Aldrin Galicia, Alvin Labra & Alfie Peñaredonda from 2 years up to 8 years imprisonment for their roles as accessories to murder broadcaster Percival Mabasa, also known as #PercyLapid, last October 3, 2022.

— ROY MABASA (@roymabasa) June 23, 2023

Las Piñas City Regional Trial Court Judge Harold Hulinganga on Friday pronounced the verdict, sentencing the Bilibid Gang leaders to a maximum of eight years in prison. This ruling takes into account their admission of guilt and their willingness to cooperate with the ongoing investigation.

The three Bilibid Gang leaders identified as Aldrin Galicia, commander of the Sputnik Gang; Alvin Labra, commander of the BCJ Gang; and Alfie Peñaredonda, commander of the HappyGoLucky Gang, faced charges as accessories in the murder of Percy Lapid. 

The charges were reduced from direct involvement in the crime to a lesser degree of culpability.

Law enforcement authorities revealed that Labra and Galicia had established communication with alleged middleman Jun Villamor, an inmate at the New Bilibid Prison (NBP). Villamor, who was subsequently killed after his connection to the murder was exposed, then reached out to Christopher Bacoto, an inmate of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology. Bacoto, in turn, enlisted self-confessed gunman Joel Escorial.

Escorial, who admitted to the killing of Lapid, claimed that he received the order from Villamor, who offered P550,000 in exchange for the murder.

Roy Mabasa said the guilty pleas and convictions would strengthen the case against the former NBP head, Gerald Bantag. 

“It’s an admission na merong crime na nanggaling sa kulungan. Meanwhile, nag-aantay tayo na lumabas na 'yung totoong mga masterminds dito," he said.

Assistant Secretary Mico Clavano, spokesperson for the DOJ, hailed the guilty pleas of the three Bilibid Gang leaders as a "very welcome development." 

"They (Bilibid gang leaders) are not only doing this for the case but for themselves as well. It is a mitigating circumstance to plead guilty which will lessen their sentence for this crime," the spokesperson said.

Clavano also emphasized DOJ's commitment to seeing the masterminds behind the murders either plead guilty or face conviction.

"However, the department is not stopping there. We would like to see their principal, the brains behind the murder, plead guilty or convicted. That is the only time we can say that justice has been served," he added.

Lapid, known for his staunch criticism of the Duterte and Marcos Jr. administrations, was shot dead on Oct. 3, 2022 in Las Piñas City.