The family of journalist Percival “Percy Lapid” Mabasa asked the police to be cautious in investigating his murder on Oct. 3. (File photo by GRIG C. MONTEGRANDE / Philippine Daily Inquirer)
MANILA, Philippines — The family of the slain radio commentator Percival “Percy Lapid” Mabasa denounced on Saturday a “smear campaign” launched against them.
In a statement, the Mabasa family said certain forces have “started to launch a smear campaign against the ongoing investigation of the killing of Percival Mabasa, also known as Percy Lapid, as well as against the Mabasa family, specifically its spokesperson, Percy’s brother Roy Mabasa.”
The family denied the allegation that Roy was taking over the investigation and that he had sought the help of the US Embassy.
“Roy was acting proactively to ensure a thorough investigation of the case, which all families of murder victims have the right to do.
“The fact is embassies of several countries reached out to Roy — who covered Foreign Affairs as a diplomatic reporter for many years — to offer their support and express their concern over the murder of Percy and the many unsolved killings of journalists in the Philippines,” the statement said
Lapid, a broadcaster known for his hard-hitting criticism of former President Rodrigo Duterte and other government officials, is the second journalist to be killed under the present administration.
The first one was radio broadcaster Rey Blanco, who was stabbed dead in Negros Oriental last September.
Lapid was ambushed last Oct. 3 right outside the Las Piñas subdivision he lived.
His death sparked widespread condemnation and a high-profile investigation.
The self-confessed gunman, Joel Escorial, surrendered and was presented to the media on Oct. 18.
The alleged middleman, Cristito Villamor Palaña, was found dead inside the New Bilibid Prison after Escorial was presented to the public.
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