Media group asks for immediate justice for Percy Lapid

Freedom for Media Freedom calls for Percy Lapid’s justice in front of Department of Justice on October 3, 2023. (Photo from NUJP)

MANILA, Philippines — A group is seeking justice for radio broadcaster Percival “Percy Lapid” Mabasa one year after he was murdered.

Freedom for Media Freedom for All (FMFA) is asking for justice for Mabasa who was gunned down in Las Piñas in 2022.

On Tuesday, its members held a short program in front of Department of Justice to remember the fate of Lapid and other more media practitioners who were killed as they were performing their work.

“We are concerned that although three persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) were sentenced to additional prison terms after pleading guilty as accessories to the murder, the case against the alleged masterminds could be archived,” FMFA said in a statement on Tuesday.

For this reason, FMFA is calling for speedy court proceedings.

The group said Lapid’s murder shows how dangerous becoming a media worker in Philippines is, particularly for hard-hitting radio commentators.

It added the investigation on the case revealed the dire situation of the correctional system.

“Out of 178 cases of killings in the country, only in five cases have the masterminds been brought to court, including Mabasa’s killing,” it noted.

“It is our hope that his killers are brought to justice. Murders of journalists are not just issues for journalists, but for everyone who values life and freedom of the press,” it concluded.

FMFA is a coalition of journalists and press freedom advocates in the country.

It includes Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism, Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility, National Union of Journalists of the Philippines, MindaNews, and Philippine Press Institute.

APL

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