CONFUSION marred the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) preliminary investigation into the murder complaints filed against suspended Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) Chief Gerald Bantag and several others implicated in the killings of broadcaster Percy Lapid and middleman Jun Villamor.

This was after the DOJ subpoena received by Bantag’s camp bore a different middle name.

Bantag’s middle name in the subpoena was “Soriano,” while his real middle name was “Quitaleg.”

The suspended prison officer’s lawyer, Atty. Rocky Balisong described the error as “fatal,” saying the subpoena was addressed to another person.

Balisong pointed out during a chance interview that they received a subpoena “intended for another person.”

“It is fatal. That is fatal because it refers to two different individuals. Definitely, Gerald Bantag y Soriano is not our client, it is Gerald Bantag y Quitaleg.”

“What we received on November 21 is a subpoena not intended for our client. It was intended for one, Gerald Bantag y Soriano,” Balison said.

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and Philippine National Police (PNP) have filed two murder complaints against Bantag, deputy security officer Ricardo Zulueta, and several others that, included gang leaders in connection with the two murders.

A DWBL radio commentator, Lapid was gunned down at the gate of BF Resort Village in Talon Dos, Las Piñas City, while on his way home last October 3.

Lapid, Percival Mabasa, in real life, hosted a radio commentary show called “Lapid Fire,” criticizing fake news, red-tagging, and government corruption.

Self-confessed gunman Joel Escorial upon his surrender claimed that the order to assassinate Lapid came inside the walls of the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) in Muntinlupa.

On the other hand, Villamor, who supposedly gave the order to Escorial, died inside the NBP.

Forensic pathologist Dr. Raquel Fortun said Villamor died of suffocation from a plastic bag placed over his head.