Zulueta denies role in Lapid, Villamor deaths
FORMER Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) Deputy Security Officer Ricardo Zulueta has officially denied involvement in the high-profile deaths of broadcaster Percy Lapid and middleman Jun Villamor.
In his counter-affidavit, Zulueta also stated that former BuCor chief Gerald Bantag “never” instructed him to commit any crime on his behalf.
“DG Bantag never ordered me to commit or facilitate the commission of a crime on his behalf,” Zulueta stated.
He also denied summoning inmate Aldrin Galicia to his office to inform him of the alleged kill order from “Tanda,” referring to Bantag.
“This is false and it never happened,” Zulueta added, saying that he never called Bantag “Tanda” out of respect.
Bantag made headlines following the death of Lapid on October 3rd, last year.
Self-confessed gunman Joel Escorial, upon surrender, claimed that the order to assassinate Lapid came from inside the walls of the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) in Muntinlupa City.
Moreover, Villamor, who supposedly relayed the kill order to Escorial, died mysteriously inside the NBP.
Forensic pathologist Dr. Raquel Fortun stated that Villamor died of suffocation after a plastic bag was placed over his head.
Lapid, whose real name was Percival Mabasa, hosted a radio commentary show called “Lapid Fire,” where he criticized fake news, red-tagging, and government corruption.
