By Gabriela Baron
The Presidential Task Force on Media Security (PTFoMS) and the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) on Tuesday, Oct. 4, condemned the killing of broadcaster Percival Mabasa, better known as Percy Lapid.
Mabasa was shot dead by two unidentified suspects past 8:00 p.m. along Aria Street in Barangay Talon Dos, Las Piñas on Monday night, Oct. 3, according to the Philippine National Police (PNP).
READ MORE: Broadcast commentator Percy Lapid shot dead in Las Piñas
“We at the Presidential Task Force denounce the murder of Percy Lapid and send our deepest condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues of the victim,” PTFoMS said in a statement.
“Rest assured that the PTFoMS will not rest until the perpetrators of this heinous crime are brought to justice. There is absolutely no justification for murder,” it added.
PTFoMs said it has been coordinating with the PNP and the Media Security Vanguards in the investigation of Mabasa’s killing.
In a separate statement, the NUJP said Mabasa’s killing shows that “journalism remains a dangerous profession in the country.”
“That the incident took place in Metro Manila indicates how brazen the perpetrators were, and how authorities have failed to protect journalists as well as ordinary citizens from harm,” NUJP said.
“We condole with Lapid’s family, including his brother and veteran journalist Roy Mabasa.”
The National Capital Region Police Office created a Special Investigation Task Force dedicated to probe into the death of Mabasa. -ag
