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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider US joins other nations in call for justice for Percy Lapid

US joins other nations in call for justice for Percy Lapid

Published Oct 5, 2022 02:39 pm

The United States joined other nations on Wednesday in taking interest in the investigation on the ambush of hard-hitting radio commentator Percy Mabasa, popularly known as Percy Lapid​, after the cas​e​ prompted foreign governments ​to ​seek justice for the slain journalist.

In a statement, the US Embassy in the Philippines said it welcomes the country​'​s law enforcement agencies​'​ investigation into Lapid​'s​ death, which ​came after he was shot dead inside his car near his home in Las Piñas City o​n Monday night.

​The US embassy's ​remark came after the governments of Canada and the Netherlands, through ​also ​their embassies in Manila, warned against the "​chilling effect​"​ that Lapid​'​s ambush can create and called on the government to hold perpetrators to account.

​"​Freedom of expression is essential to building the future the people of the Philippines want and deserve,​"​ the US embassy asserted.

"Gravely concerned" ​about the journalist's killing, Canada and the Netherlands, which co-chairs the Media Freedom Coalition in the Philippines​, issued a joint statement on Tuesday that also called on the government to ensure a "safe environment" for journalists.

​This means journalists should be able to ​"carry out their work without fear for their lives and safety."

"Journalist killings strike at the very core of media freedom and can create a chilling effect that curtails the ability of journalists to report news freely and safely," they said.

The statement was supported by other Western countries, particularly France, United Kingdom, Denmark and the delegation of the European Union, which is composed of about 27 countries as member states.

​The French Embassy in Manila said it ​"reaffirms its resolute, unwavering commitment to the freedom of the press, freedom of speech and protection of journalists."

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