Representatives Arlene Brosas (Gabriela), France Castro (ACT Teachers), and Raoul Manuel during State of the Nation Address. INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines – The Makabayan bloc on Friday urged President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s administration to cease all actions that brand any journalist, critic, and any citizen as “terrorists” in a new resolution.
In House Resolution No. 468, the Makabayan bloc also urged the admin to investigate the killing of Percival Mabasa, better known as Percy Lapid, and take steps to stop such attacks against the media.
“The Marcos administration must go beyond the empty denial that ‘there is no government policy of red-tagging’ and immediately cease all actions that brand as “terrorist” or criminal any journalist, human rights defender, critic and citizen with neither basis or due process,” the resolution said.
The resolution, filed by Alliance of Concerned Teachers Partylist Rep. France Castro, Gabriela Women’s Party Rep. Arlene Brosas, and Kabataan Partylist Raoul Manuel, also urged the administration to investigate Lapid’s killing and to hold those responsible accountable.
House Resolution No. 468 cited the multiple warnings from international human rights groups and foreign governments about the chilling effect of media killings, with many believing that the Philippines remains a dangerous place for journalism.
READ: Foreign nations express ‘grave concern’ over slay of broadcaster Percy Lapid
The resolution also seeks to have the House of Representatives “condemn in the strongest terms the extrajudicial killing of veteran journalist Percival Mabasa.”
Lapid’s killing has drawn widespread condemnation from various individuals and groups. The Philippine National Police has vowed to investigate the case, and the Department of Interior and Local Government Chief Benjamin Abalos Jr.has offered a P500,000 reward to anyone who can provide valuable information about the killing.
Marcos, through Senior Deputy Executive Secretary Hubert Guevara, has also expressed his concern and Palace officials have been instructed to look into his death.