In a truly free society, there is no space for the killing of veteran radio broadcaster and columnist Percival Mabasa, known to his followers as Percy Lapid, former vice president Leni Robredo said on Tuesday, Oct. 4, as Mabasa’s family called for his “cowardly assassins’” arrest.
The former top official condoled with everyone who loved Mabasa.
“Malaking kawalan ang kaniyang boses, tapang, at pananaw sa panahong bumabangga tayo sa tahasang panlilinlang sa taumbayan (His voice, courage, and beliefs are a huge loss at a time that the people are blatantly being deceived),” Robredo wrote on social media.
She called for swift justice for the broadcaster’s death, as well as the killings of other journalists.
“Hindi dapat palampasin ang pagpaslang kay Ka Percy; dapat agad maihain ang hustisya sa pangyayaring ito—at sa marami pang insidente ng pagpatay sa ating mga (We should not allow this killing of Ka Percy to pass; we should seek justice for this event—and for the many other incidents of killing our) journalists,” the former vice president and now chairperson of Angat Buhay said.
“Sa isang lipunang tunay na malaya, dapat walang puwang sa karahasan at panggigipit sa ating mamamahayag (In a truly free society, there should be no space for violence and oppression of our journalists),” she added.
Mabasa was gunned by two armed suspects onboard a motorcycle on Monday evening in Las Piñas City.
READ: Radio commentator shot dead in Las Piñas
He was the host of a news radio commentary program “Lapid Fire" at DWBL 1242 and a columnist for Hataw. His YouTube channel “Lapid Fire ni Percy Lapid,” wherein he makes political commentaries, has 216,000 subscribers.
His family, including retired Manila Bulletin journalist and former National Press Club President Roy Mabasa, also released a statement over the ambush.
“We are deeply saddened and angered by the brutal and brazen killing of fearless broadcaster, father and husband, brother and friend, Percy Lapid,” the statement read.
“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,” it added.
The statement said that Mabasa was “beloved” and “highly respected” by his peers, fans, and foes.
READ: PNP creates task force to probe into killing of Percy Lapid
“His bold and sharp commentaries cut through the barrage of fake news over the air waves and social media,” the statement added as the family demanded that Mabasa’s “cowardly assassins” be brought to justice.
Mabasa’s death sparked a renewed call to protect journalists in the country, one of the least safest places in the world for journalists.
As of posting, the topic #JusticeForPercyLapid is trending on Twitter as his peers in the media led the condemnation of his murder.