The Philippines has suspended its prisons chief and listed him as a “person of interest” following the murder of a broadcaster who had criticised high-profile figures including two presidents, uniformed officials and most recently, Chinese online gaming operators.
Bureau of Corrections director Gerald Bantag, who is in charge of all jails nationwide, including the National Penitentiary or “Bilibid”, was named among 160 possible suspects for the death of radio journalist Percival Mabasa, 63, who was killed on Oct 3 while driving to work in Manila.
The brazen attack has gripped the nation due to its twists and turns, the suspected involvement of politicians and netizens comparing the case to HBO series On the Job: the Missing 8, about prisoners being released to carry out contract killings.
Philippine National Police chief General Rodolfo Azurin Jnr on Tuesday (Oct 25) revealed Bantag as a “person of interest” in the case but declined to name the others.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr ordered Bantag to be suspended for 60 days to allow “a fair, impartial investigation on the matter so that all doubts will be put to rest”, according to justice secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla.
However, Bantag on Tuesday said he was suspended “because I have stepped on too many toes
He had named the possible suspects and asked her to reveal them should something happen to him.
On the same day, Tulfo referred her to the Department of Justice to be placed under witness protection. Palana died on Oct 18 at 2pm, according to his sister, barely hours after Estorial’s public confession.
National police chief Azurin said he now suspected foul play in Palana’s case and that they still did not know the mastermind.
Senator Risa Hontiveros, who met the Mabasa family on Tuesday, said they told her they were now receiving death threats. Authorities had also told the family Palana had died of “bangungot” – a Filipino term for sudden unexpected death during sleep.
Political and market risk analyst Jonathan Ravelas, managing director of eManagement for Business and Marketing Services, told This Week in Asia on Tuesday that the murder “is a test case for the Marcos administration”.
Meanwhile, On the Job director Erik Matti told a radio network he found it “weird” that netizens saw similarities between his series and the murder.
The series has been nominated for next month’s International Emmy Awards for best TV movie or miniseries. A three-hour sequel is the official Philippine entry to next year’s Oscars.
This article was first published in Asia One . All contents and images are copyright to their respective owners and sources.
