DOJ orders NBI to 'unravel truth' on death of co-accused in Lapid slay

MANILA (UPDATED) — The Department of Justice on Wednesday ordered the National Bureau of Investigation to look into the reported death of former Bureau of Corrections Deputy Security Officer Ricardo Zulueta, a co-accused in the killing of broadcaster Percival Mabasa better known as Percy Lapid.

"Unravel the truth, leave no stone unturned and don’t let anyone or anything prevent us from pursuing accountability and delivering justice," Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said in a release.

Remulla also directed the NBI to seek help from Dr. Raquel Fortun, a forensic pathologist, to determine Zulueta's cause of death.

The DOJ, citing reports, said that Zulueta died shortly after he was brought to a hospital by his brother due to severe chest pains  

But it said 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 agency urged the Philippine National Police to share with the DOJ its findings into the cause of Zulueta’s death.

According to the DOJ, 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.

Ex-BuCor official Zulueta, co-accused in Percy Lapid case, dies

Meanwhile, Interior Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. lamented 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 said. 

His death should also serve as a challenge to the PNP, said Abalos.

"'Yun nga eh -- dapat talaga mag-double time ang PNP dito. Dapat mag-double time sila, kailangan talaga diinan. Para sa akin, it's very frustrating. That's what I could tell you," he added. -- With a report from Jeff Caparas, ABS-CBN News