Human rights defenders, together with Filipino journalists and progressive groups, held an indignation rally at the Boy Scout Circle in Quezon City to denounce the killing of veteran broadcaster and prominent government critic Percival Mabasa, more popularly known as Percy Lapid.
Lapid was gunned down in Las Piñas City on Monday evening, Oct. 3 according to the Philippine National Police (PNP).
Prior to the rally, Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) Chairperson Elmer Labog condemned the unjust killing, reiterating that journalists often become victims of extrajudicial killings and impunity.
“Walang ibang may tangka sa kanyang buhay kundi ang mga nasa kapangyarihan na nais siyang patahimikin dahil sa kanyang pagiging prinsipyado at matapang na kritiko ng gobyerno (Other than those in power, there is no one else in his life who want to silence him because of his principle and courageous criticism of the government),” said Labog on Tuesday, Oct. 4.
Through his radio program called “Lapid Fire,” Lapid criticized and opposed the "violence and corruption" of the past and present administration.
Along with other progressive groups and human rights defenders, human rights group Karapatan, labor group KMU, and alliance of Filipino women Gabriela participated in the said protest. The indignation rally was spearheaded by the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP).