Senator Risa Hontiveros visits the family of slain broadcaster Percival Mabasa, popularly known as Percy Lapid on Monday, October 24, 2022. Courtesy of Sen. Hontiveros’ office
MANILA, Philippines — Senator Risa Hontiveros appealed Tuesday for greater protection for the family of slain broadcaster Percival Mabasa, popularly known as Percy Lapid.
Hontiveros visited the Mabasa family on Monday, October 24, and was told that they have been receiving threats and harassment since the radioman-vlogger died in a fatal ambush last October 3.
“Nangangamba ang buong pamilya ni Percy. Ang mga anak ni Percy ay pinapadalhan ng mga pambabanta sa Facebook o sa personal nilang mga cellphone numbers. May isang nakatanggap pa ng text message na sinabing siya na ang susunod,” the senator said in a statement.
(Percy’s whole family is worried. The children of Percy get threats on Facebook or their personal cellphone numbers. One even received a text message, saying that he/she will be the next.)
Stressing that the mastermind in the killing of Lapid remains at large, Hontiveros pushed for more security for the family.
READ: TIMELINE: Veteran radioman Percy Lapid’s slay case
The police had earlier announced that the Percy Lapid murder case is deemed solved since suspects have been identified. The Philippine National Police, however, later took it back saying the case is neither closed nor solved.
Hontiveros and Lapid’s family also believed the ambush-slay case is not yet settled.
Senator Risa Hontiveros visits the family of slain broadcaster Percival Mabasa, popularly known as Percy Lapid on Monday, October 24, 2022. Courtesy of Sen. Hontiveros’ office
“The circumstances surrounding the murder created more questions than answers. Hindi porke’t na-identify ang mga suspect ay tapos na ang kaso. The case is far from solved,” the senator noted.
(Not because the suspects have been identified, the case is done.)
“Paano nga din magiging solb na kung hanggang ngayon ay nakakatanggap ang pamilya ng pananakot?” the opposition senator inquired.
(Also, how is it already solved if until now the family is getting threats?)
Hontiveros noted that the declaration of case solved “only causes undue stress to the loved ones left behind.”
She then urged the public to not let the issue die down.
“Nanawagan din ako sa publiko na huwag hayaang mapatahimik ang kasong ito. Let’s not allow a brutal killing such as this to just be swept under the rug,” she urged.
(I also appeal to the public to not let this case die down.)
Lapid is the second journalist killed under the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.