MANILA — The case of the killing of broadcaster Percival Mabasa, better known as Percy Lapid, could be shelved if former Corrections Director General Gerald Bantag remains at large, Lapid's brother Roy Mabasa said Sunday.

Bantag has been wanted by Philippine courts since last year after being implicated in the deaths of Lapid and alleged middleman Jun Villamor.

Speaking on Teleradyo Serbisyo, Roy Mabasa said his brother's case would be shelved if Bantag remains at large after October 21, 2024. 

He added that Bantag's capture is key to resolving the case, and if delayed, the killing could fade from people's minds. The Mabasa family has been seeking justice since 2022, when Lapid was killed near his home in Las Piñas.

Mabasa said Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla has said authorities are aware of the whereabouts of Bantag, but are having a hard time arresting him. 

He urged urgency to apprehend Bantag, who he claimed is allegedly being sheltered by classmates at the Philippine National Police Academy and by political allies. 

"Bakit [kay Pastor Apollo] Quiboloy nagpadala sila ng 2,000 pulis at sa bandang huli sumuko din? Bakit hindi ganun ang gawin nila kay Bantag?" Roy said

(How come when they went after Quiboloy, they were able to send 2,000 cops to eventually make him surrender? Why can't they do that for Bantag?)

"Hindi naman natin sinasabi na ganun [karaming pulis] ang dalhin kay Bantag. Ang pinakikita natin 'yung sigasig ng pulis sana na ito ay gawin," he added.

(We're not saying they should send that many police officers for Bantag. What we're pointing out is the determination of the police, and we hope they show the same effort.)

READ: Alleged accomplice in Percy Lapid slay dies during arrest

Meanwhile, Mabasa said that an alleged middleman in the case, Christopher Bacoto, has agreed to testify for the prosecution on October 21. 

Bacoto allegedly arranged the killing of Lapid through self-confessed gunman Joel Escorial, who was sentenced to 8 to 16 years of imprisonment by the Las Piñas City Regional Trial Court. 

"Ano ang magiging kahalagahan nito sa kaso? Si Bacoto ang magpapatunay na siya ang kumontrata sa kababata na si Joel Escorial upang patayin si Ka Percy," Roy said.

(What will be the significance of this to the case? Bacoto will prove that he was the one who contracted his childhood friend, Joel Escorial, to kill Ka Percy.)

READ: DOJ orders NBI to 'unravel truth' on death of co-accused in Lapid slay

PH PRESS FREEDOM SITUATION STILL 'WORRISOME'

The Philippines dropped two places in the 2024 World Press Freedom Index released in May, ranking 134 out of 180 countries.

The country climbed 15 places to rank 132 out of 180 in 2023 after Reporters Without Borders introduced new metrics for its index.

The media watchdog described Filipino media as “extremely dynamic despite the government’s targeted attacks and constant harassment” since 2016.

The previous Duterte administration, the group added, was marked by verbal attacks against journalists. Several news websites were also targets of cyberattacks.

It noted, likewise, that “there seem to have been fewer and less violent attacks” against journalists, but the situation is still “worrisome”. — Rowegie Abanto, ABS-CBN News

READ: Bantag co-accused sentenced to 2-8 years for Percy Lapid murder