MANILA, Philippines – The alleged accomplice of the convicted killer of broadcaster Percival “Percy Lapid” Mabasa died during the serving of an arrest warrant in Lipa City, Batangas on Sunday, August 11, GMA reported.
Police identified the accomplice as Jake Mendoza, who allegedly was one of the suspects who planned the assassination of the broadcaster in October 2022. Mabasa is the second journalist killed under the Marcos administration.
In an interview with DZBB, National Capital Region Police Office chief PMGen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said that Mendoza committed suicide after hours of negotiation and holding hostage his partner and child.
Nartatez added that police started manhunt operations six months ago, and that they knew that Mendoza was “armed and dangerous.”
“Nakipag-negotiate tayo hanggang umabot ng alas kwarto ng madaling araw,” he said. “Pinatawag ang barangay captain and mga kamag-anak, iyong pinsan, kaya na-release ang partner niya at anak.”
(We negotiated with him until four in the morning. We called the barangay captain and relatives, a cousin, so that’s why he released his partner and child.)
Police said that Mendoza was the accomplice of Joel Escorial, who was sentenced to eight years and eight months or up to 16 years in prison by the Las Piñas City RTC Branch 254.
According to Nartatez, the death of Mendoza was unfortunate since it could’ve helped the case.
“Makakatulong iyong testimonya nila sa pag-usad ng kaso at mabigay natin ang tamang hustisya sa pagkamatay ni Percy Lapid,” he said.
(His testimony could’ve helped the case progress and give justice to the death of Percy Lapid.) – Rappler.com
The Department of Health, through the National Center for Mental Health, has a national crisis hotline to assist people with mental health concerns. The hotline can be reached at 1553, which is a Luzon-wide, toll-free landline number, 0917-899-8727 and 0966-351-4518 for Globe and TM subscribers, and 0908-639-2672 for Smart and Sun subscribers.