Lapid slay suspect Zulueta dies

MANILA, Philippines — One of the two principal suspects in the murder of broadcaster Percy Lapid died in Dinalupihan, Bataan on Friday, the Philippine National Police (PNP) reported yesterday.

Ricardo Zulueta, 42, died while being treated at the Bataan Peninsula Medical Center in Barangay San Ramon at 11 p.m., PNP public information officer Col. Jean Fajardo said.

Citing a police report, Fajardo said Zulueta was brought to a hospital by his brother at 10 p.m. due to ”heart failure.”

Zulueta’s remains were brought to a funeral parlor in Barangay New San Jose in Dinalupihan then transferred to Hermosa town.

Zulueta was the former deputy of former Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) head Gerald Bantag, who was tagged as the mastermind in Lapid’s murder.

Zulueta, along with Bantag, was also wanted for the murder of Cristito Palaña, alias Jun Villamor, an inmate at the New Bilibid Prison and the supposed middleman in the killing of Lapid.

Several prisoners were suspected to be behind Palaña’s execution in jail allegedly upon the orders of Bantag and Zulueta.

The National Bureau of Investigation had earlier offered a reward of P3 million for information on Bantag and Zulueta. The two former BuCor officials have arrest warrants issued by a court in Muntinlupa.

Meanwhile, the Presidential Task Force on Media Security (PTFoMS) announced yesterday the arrest of two suspects in the killing of Misamis Occidental broadcaster Juan ”DJ Johnny Walker” Jumalon.

Boboy Bongcawel and Renante Bongcawel were arrested in Barangay Poblacion in Sapang Dalaga town on Friday, PTFoMS executive director Paul Gutierrez said, citing police reports.

Jumalon of 94.7 Gold FM community radio was killed during a live broadcast at his home in Calamba town on Nov. 5. — Alexis Romero