Percy Lapid was the host of “Lapid Fire” over AM radio station DWBL. (Photo from a video on the Facebook page of Percy Lapid Fire)
Updated @ 1:09 a.m., Wednesday, Oct. 5, 2022
MANILA, Philippines — Foreign nations expressed “grave concern” on Tuesday following the killing of broadcaster Percival Mabasa, popularly known as Percy Lapid.
The embassies of Canada and Netherlands in the Philippines, in a joint statement, expressed their sympathies to the bereaved kin of Lapid.
“We express our grave concern about the killing of broadcast commentator Mr. Percival Mabasa (a.k.a Percy Lapid) by unidentified assailants last night. We extend our deepest sympathies to his family & loved ones,” Canada and Netherlands, co-chairs of the Media Freedom Coalition, wrote on Twitter.
Statement by @CanEmbPH and @NLinPhilippines local co-chairs of @MediaFreedomC on the killing of broadcast commentator Percival Mabasa (aka #PercyLapid).
We express our grave concern about the killing of broadcast commentator Mr. Percival Mabasa (a.k.a Percy Lapid) by (1/4) pic.twitter.com/LLC2VxpjUS
— Canada in the Philippines (@CanEmbPH) October 4, 2022
Stressing that journalist killings can have a “chilling effect,” they pushed for an investigation on the matter.
“Journalist killings strike at the very core of media freedom & can create a chilling effect that curtails the ability of journalists to report news freely & safely.
“Such attacks on media workers must be urgently investigated, and those responsible must be held to account,” the embassies said, urging authorities to create a “safe environment for journalists to carry out their work without fear for their lives and safety.”
France, also a co-chair of the Media Freedom Coalition, Britain, Germany, Denmark, and the European Union (EU), in separate tweets, supported the statement of Canada and Netherlands.
“[France] reaffirms its resolute, unwavering commitment to the freedom of the press, freedom of speech and protection of journalists,” the French Embassy in the Philippines posted on Twitter.
The Embassy of 🇫🇷 in the 🇵🇭 expresses its solidarity with the family of Mr. Mabasa. It supports the declaration by the Media Freedom Coalition co-chairs. 🇫🇷 reaffirms its resolute, unwavering commitment to the freedom of the press, freedom of speech and protection of journalists. https://t.co/kgxbI5V3wN
— France in the PH 🇫🇷🇵🇭 (@FrenchEmbassyPH) October 4, 2022
“[Delegation of the EU to the Philippines] supports statement issued by [the embassies of Canada and Netherlands in the Philippines] on the killing of Journalist Percival Mabasa,” the EU said in a separate tweet.
EUinthePhilippines🇪🇺🤝🇵🇭 supports statement issued by @CanEmbPH and @NLinPhilippines on the killing of Journalist Percival Mabasa 👇 https://t.co/vRQU04qRif
— EUinthePhilippines🇪🇺🇵🇭 (@EUinthePH) October 4, 2022
Britain said: “[The British Embassy in Manila] fully supports the statement of the Media Freedom Coalition. We urge the Filipino authorities to ensure that the perpetrators of the killing of Percival Mabasa are brought to justice and to create a safe environment for all journalists in the Philippines.”
.@ukinphilippines fully supports the statement of the Media Freedom Coalition. We urge the Filipino authorities to ensure that the perpetrators of the killing of Percival Mabasa are brought to justice and to create a safe environment for all journalists in the Philippines. https://t.co/4qIqdRp2Ky
— British Embassy Manila 🇬🇧🇵🇭 (@ukinphilippines) October 4, 2022
“[Germany] remains committed to advocate for freedom of the press & of speech. Those responsible for this crime must be brought to justice,” German Ambassador to the Philippines Anke Reiffenstuel penned.
Germany 🇩🇪 fully supports this statement of @MediaFreedomC on the brutal killing of media personality #PercyLapid.
🇩🇪 remains committed to advocate for freedom of the press & of speech. Those responsible for this crime must be brought to justice. #germanyinphl https://t.co/8ClYfkrgl7— Ambassador Andreas Pfaffernoschke (@germanyinphl) October 4, 2022
“The Danish Embassy supports the statement by [the Embassy of Canada] and [the Embassy of Netherlands], co-chairs of the [Media Freedom Coalition], on the killing of broadcast commentator & journalist, Percival Mabasa,” the Embassy of Denmark tweeted.
The Danish Embassy 🇩🇰 supports the statement by @CanEmbPH and @NLinPhilippines, co-chairs of the @MediaFreedomC, on the killing of broadcast commentator & journalist, Percival Mabasa (#PercyLapid). https://t.co/3l8lUg9Xpj
— Denmark in the Philippines (@DenmarkinPH) October 4, 2022
Lapid, a hard-hitting radio commentator, was shot dead in an ambush at the gate of BF Resort Village in Talon Dos, Las Piñas on Monday night.
The Philippine National Police vowed to bring justice to the demise of Lapid, the second journalist that had been killed under the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.