MANILA — An alleged accomplice in the killing of broadcaster Percival "Percy Lapid" Mabasa died as police served an arrest warrant for him in Lipa City, Batangas early Sunday, the National Capital Region Police Office said.

Orlando Mendoza alias Orly Almanon was the alleged driver of the motorcycle used by the self-confessed gunman Joel Escorial during the killing of Lapid, Metro Manila police chief Melencio Nartatez Jr. said.

Mendoza was also among those who surveilled and plotted the slaying of Lapid together with Escorial and Dimaculangan brothers, Edmon and Israel, Nartatez said.

He added that Escorial — who is detained in Camp Crame — himself confirmed the participation of Mendoza in the crime. Escorial "positively identified" Mendoza through pictures, the police official said.

Regional Trial Court Branch 254 in Las Piñas City issued the warrant of arrest for Mendoza on April 14, 2023, in relation to his alleged involvement in the killing of Lapid outside his subdivision in Las Piñas on the night of October 3, 2022.

After three months of undercover work, a joint operation by the police and several law enforcement agencies led to the execution of the warrant of arrest for Mendoza, who the police said was "armed and dangerous" at the time of the arrest.

It said that Mendoza "initially refused to surrender and took his live-in partner and child hostage."

The situation led to a "prolonged negotiation process" that lasted nearly four hours, which eventually resulted in the release of the hostage victims, the police said. 

"However, shortly after, Almanon tragically took his own life in front of the negotiators and family members," it said. 

Authorities rushed him to the hospital but he was declared dead on arrival.

Nartatez said they had hoped that Mendoza would surrender himself peacefully despite him being armed.

Meanwhile, Metro Manila police said it remained committed to ensuring justice for Lapid.

Nartatez called on other suspects in the crime to surrender to authorities and clear their names.

"Ipagtanggol nila ang sarili nila. As of now they are the accused, they have warrant of arrest, dapat sumuko na sila, including [former Bureau of Corrections chief Gerald] Bantag," said Nartatez.

(They should defend themselves. As of now, they are the accused, they have a warrant of arrest, they should surrender, including [former Bureau of Corrections chief Gerald] Bantag.)

READ: Family, colleagues call for 'swift justice' a year since Percy Lapid slay

—with a report from Jeff Caparas, ABS-CBN News

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