JUSTICE Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla directed the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) on Tuesday to conduct its own investigation into the ambush-slay of hard-hitting radio broadcaster Percival Mabasa, also known by his radio name as Percy Lapid, on Monday night.
This developed as the Philippine National Police (PNP) gave police investigators a 24-hour deadline to solve the killing with the creation of a special investigation task group to thoroughly investigate the murder.
PNP chief General Rodolfo Azurin Jr. directed the National Capital Regional Police Office (NCRPO), Southern Police District and Las Piñas City Police Station to hasten the investigation and the identification of the perpetrators.
“The PNP has established a Special Investigation Task Group to handle the investigation. This will pave the way for a deeper probe to expedite the gathering of pieces of evidence and testimonies,” Azurin said.
Separate NBI probe
“Yes, the NBI is on the case,” Remulla said when asked if he would order the agency to conduct a separate probe into the killing.
The 63-year-old Mabasa was inside his vehicle when he was shot dead along Aria Street, Barangay Talon Dos at around 8:30 p.m.
The Las Piñas City Police has formed a special task group to investigate the killing and assured that authorities “will dig deeper into the case to give justice to the victim and his family.”
NCRPO chief Brig. Gen. Jonnel Estomo said the “special investigation task group Lapid” has been created as he ordered the Las Piñas City Police Station to solve the case within 24 hours. The task group also included the Criminal Investigation Detection Group and the other police units.
“We will update the public in any smallest detail as to the development of the investigation. We guarantee to bring swift justice to the victim and his family,” Estomo said.
Azurin said the PNP is coordinating with the family of Mabasa and his colleagues in its effort to solve the case, which he said could not be declared yet as work-related.
“The PNP is coordinating with the family and his work colleagues for more relevant information. While his work as a radio commentator involves discussion of critical issues, we cannot fully conclude as of this time that the motive is work-related, but we are exploring all possible angles as of this time,” he said.
“We assure our media colleagues that the PNP prioritizes the security of those working in the media industry. The PNP Media Vanguards will directly oversee the course of investigation of this incident,” the PNP chief said.
Condemnation
The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) has issued a statement condemning Lapid’s killing. The NUJP stressed the incident only proves 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.”
It noted that Mabasa, host of “Lapid Fire” on DWBL 1242, had been critical of the previous Duterte administration as well as some personalities and policies of the Marcos administration.
Mabasa is the second journalist killed under the administration of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr., according to the NUJP.
Last September 18, 2022, radio broadcaster Rey Blanco was stabbed dead in Mabinay, Negros Oriental.
“We condole with Lapid’s family including his brother and veteran journalist Roy Mabasa. We call on the public to join us in condemning yet another murder of a journalist. We call on the Philippine National Police to hold the perpetrators accountable,” the group said.
Lapid’s killing happened as Remulla was scheduled to meet with officials of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) on October 4 in Geneva, Switzerland.
Remulla leads the country’s delegates to the UNHRC meetings, which will take place from October 4 to October 14.
The Philippine delegation will take part in the 51st Enhance Interactive Dialogue and Bilateral Meetings and the State’s Constructive Dialogue/Revalida with Human Rights Committee on the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
‘Brutal attack’
SEN. Robinhood Padilla also issued a statement condemning Lapid’s slaying. “I strongly condemn the fatal shooting of broadcaster Percy Lapid on Monday night. There is no place for crime in our midst, especially a brutal attack on a Filipino—be it a member of the media, a civilian, or a member of our uniformed personnel. This murder of a mediaman is an attack on the right to freedom of expression that is enshrined in our Constitution,” Padilla said.
The senator added, “Even as I offer my sincere sympathy to the family and loved ones of Percy, I call on our authorities to apprehend the perpetrators and solve this dastardly crime as soon as possible. I join our people’s calls for justice for Percy, and for the proper punishment against those behind this revolting incident.”
Crimes against society
The labor coalition Nagkaisa and Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) also condemned the attacks against mediamen.
Nagkaisa said the incidents are considered as “crimes against society since such acts curtail freedom of expression.”
“Failing on this would only bolster any suspicion that this administration is merely a continuity ‘Dutertism’ if not an extended presidency of Marcos Sr.,” Nagkaisa said.
For its part, the Kilusang Mayo Uno urged Marcos to also address the matter.
“We have not heard anything from Marcos Jr. on his commitment for press freedom and ensuring the safety of journalists nationwide,” KMU said.
“There is no place in democracy for the harassment, bullying, and killing of journalists,” it added.
PBBM on Lapid’s death
Concerned over the death of Lapid, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. said he is now closely monitoring development of the case.
In an interview with officers of the Malacañang Press Corp. on Tuesday, Deputy Executive Secretary Hubert Guevarra disclosed Marcos instructed their office to closely monitor the outcome of the said investigation.
He said he would soon be meeting the Presidential Task Force on Media Security (PTFMS) so they could coordinate with the Southern Police District, which is currently conducting the probe.
“I personally would meet with them [PTFMS] and convene them, if necessary, to advise them…to sit down with the Southern Police District and ensure that the conduct of investigation proceeds without any problem and submit to us—report to us hopefully within the next seven days,” Guevarra said.
With Samuel P. Medenilla