MANILA, Philippines – Canada and European Union (EU) member countries France, the Netherlands, and Denmark expressed deep concern on Tuesday over the killing of veteran radio broadcaster Percival Mabasa, known as Percy Lapid.
In a joint statement, Canada and the Netherlands, co-chairs of the Media Freedom Coalition, urged the Philippine government for an immediate investigation into the incident, a call supported by France, Denmark, and the EU.
“We express our grave concern about the killing of broadcast commentator Mr. Percival Mabasa (Percy Lapid) by unidentified assailants last night. We extend our deepest sympathies to his family & loved ones,” saad ng Canadian Embassy.
“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,” dagdag pa nito.
Calls for justice in the shooting grew as colleagues and listeners remembered him as a fearless journalist.
Earlier, Senior Deputy Executive Secretary Hubert Guevarra said that President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. was “concerned about what happened” to Lapid, a well-known critic of the Marcoses.
The Canadian Embassy also urged the authorities to “take concrete steps” to create a “safe environment for journalists to carry out their work without fear for their lives and safety.” RNA
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