By Junex Doronio
MANILA — Not convinced that there’s no foul play on the sudden death of former Bureau of Corrections Deputy Security Officer Ricardo Zulueta, a co-accused in the killing of hard-hitting broadcaster Percival “Percy Lapid” Mabasa, no less than Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla on Wednesday (20 March 2024) ordered the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to seek help from forensic pathologist Dr. Raquel Fortun.
“Unravel the truth, leave no stone unturned, and don’t let anyone or anything prevent us from pursuing accountability and delivering justice,” Remulla underscored in a statement.
Citing reports, the DOJ noted that Zulueta died shortly after he was brought to a hospital by his brother due to severe chest pains.
On Monday (18 March 2024), PNP spokesperson Police Colonel Jean Fajardo answered “Yes po” when asked in a press conference whether there was no foul play.
“Iyong mismong kapatid po ang nagdala sa hospital at even po ‘yung common law wife po ni Mr. Zulueta ang magkakasama po sila doon,” Fajardo said.
But the DOJ observed that Zulueta’s death certificate “showed that the cause of death was cerebrovascular disease intracranial hemorrhage which brings confusion as to the real cause of death.”
The DOJ said Zulueta has a pending warrant of arrest along with former BuCor Director General Gerald Bantag over the alleged murder of Lapid and inmate Jun Villamor, an alleged middleman in the crime.
For his part, Interior Secretary Benjamin “Benhur” Abalos Jr. bewailed that Zulueta died before he could have been arrested and provided information on the Lapid case.
“Sa hustisyang ating hinahanap malaking bagay sana ito, to really solve this thing, napakalaking bagay nito,” Abalos lamented.
(el Amigo/MNM)
