Various nations express concern over killing of Philippine journalist Percy Lapid

Lapid, a hard-hitting radio commentator, was shot dead in an ambush on Oct 3 night.

MANILA (Philippine Daily inquirer/Asia News Network): Foreign nations expressed “grave concern” on Tuesday (Oct 4) following the killing of broadcaster Percival Mabasa, popularly known as Percy Lapid.

The embassies of Canada and Netherlands in the Philippines, in a joint statement, expressed their sympathies to the bereaved kin of Lapid.

“We express our grave concern about the killing of broadcast commentator Mr Percival Mabasa (a.k.a Percy Lapid) by unidentified assailants last night. We extend our deepest sympathies to his family & loved ones,” Canada and Netherlands, co-chairs of the Media Freedom Coalition, wrote on Twitter.

Stressing that journalist killings can have a “chilling effect,” they pushed for an investigation on the matter.

“Journalist killings strike at the very core of media freedom and can create a chilling effect that curtails the ability of journalists to report news freely & safely.

“Such attacks on media workers must be urgently investigated, and those responsible must be held to account,” the embassies said, urging authorities to create a “safe environment for journalists to carry out their work without fear for their lives and safety.”

France, also a co-chair of the Media Freedom Coalition, Britain, Germany, Denmark, and the European Union (EU), in separate tweets, supported the statement of Canada and Netherlands.

“[France] reaffirms its resolute, unwavering commitment to the freedom of the press, freedom of speech and protection of journalists,” the French Embassy in the Philippines posted on Twitter.

“[Delegation of the EU to the Philippines] supports the statements issued by [the embassies of Canada and Netherlands in the Philippines] on the killing of Journalist Percival Mabasa,” the EU said in a separate tweet.

Britain said: “[The British Embassy in Manila] fully supports the statement of the Media Freedom Coalition. We urge the Filipino authorities to ensure that the perpetrators of the killing of Percival Mabasa are brought to justice and to create a safe environment for all journalists in the Philippines.”

“[Germany] remains committed to advocate for freedom of the press & of speech. Those responsible for this crime must be brought to justice,” German Ambassador to the Philippines Anke Reiffenstuel penned.

“The Danish Embassy supports the statement by [the Embassy of Canada] and [the Embassy of Netherlands], co-chairs of the [Media Freedom Coalition], on the killing of broadcast commentator and journalist, Percival Mabasa,” the Embassy of Denmark tweeted.

Lapid, a hard-hitting radio commentator, was shot dead in an ambush at the gate of BF Resort Village in Talon Dos, Las Pinas on Monday night.

The Philippine National Police vowed to bring justice to the demise of Lapid, the second journalist that had been killed under the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.