News radio host Percival Mabasa, widely known as Percy Lapid, was ambushed and shot dead inside his vehicle by two unknown motorcycle-riding men Monday night, October 3.
Percy Lapid, as he is known through his radio show, has been a vocal critic of president Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and his predecessor Rodrigo Duterte airing his commentaries on controversial issues like Duterte’s war on drugs, red tagging, and Martial Law among others.
Mabasa’s killing has since sparked condemnation from rights groups and activists, media and journalists’ organizations, and sympathizers.
Senate public information and mass media committee chairperson Robin Padilla called the killing an “attack” on freedom of expression.
“This murder of a media man is an attack on the right to freedom of expression that is enshrined in our Constitution,” Padilla said.
Mabasa’s family also issued a statement.
“We strongly condemn this deplorable crime. It was committed not only against Percy, his family, and his profession, but against our country, his beloved Philippines, and the truth,” the Mabasa family said.
In their statement, the family also called for justice: “Percy is beloved by many and highly respected by peers, fans and foes alike. His bold and sharp commentaries cut through the barrage of fake news over the airwaves and social media. We demand that his cowardly assassins be brought to justice.”
Former vice president and incumbent Angat Pinas Inc. chair, Atty. Leni Robredo also joined the call for justice.
“Sa isang lipunang tunay na malaya, dapat walang puwang sa karahasan at panggigipit sa ating mamamahayag,” said Robredo.
[In a truly free country, there should be no violence and oppression against our journalists].
In Congress, ACT Teachers Representative France Castro rallied for a probe.
“The culture of impunity is worsening in the country. We condemn this heinous act against Percy Lapid and we are calling for an impartial probe on the matter,” Castro said.
The Media Freedom Coalition co-chairs, the embassies of Canada and the Netherlands, has sent the bereaved family their sympathies and also expressed their “concern” and called for a “safe environment for journalists to carry out their work without fear for their lives and safety.”
The Philippine National Police in a statement Tuesday said that a probe is being conducted to “determine the culprits and motive” of the case.
The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) noted Mabasa’s death as the second journalist to be killed under the Marcos Jr. administration and the 197th since 1986. This placed the Philippines as the seventh worst country in the world for bringing justice to impunity on journalists according to Committee to Protect Journalists.
(Xavier John D. Villaruel | Amaranth)