Broadcaster Percy Lapid shot dead in Las Piñas

Veteran radio commentator Percival Mabasa radio host better known as Percy Lapid, was fatally shot inside his car in Las Pias City after receiving death threats, according to a media watchdog.

The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) Secretary General Ronalyn Olea said on Tuesday that there are many angles that could be taken into consideration because Lapid’s family claimed he received numerous death threats before he was killed and because of his fearless commentary on various issues.

Lapid was a vocal critic of both the present administration and previous President Rodrigo Duterte.

Lapid was shot and killed by two gunmen outside the entrance of a subdivision in Barangay Talon Dos, according to Las Pias City Police. One of the assailants was on a motorcycle, while the other was riding a white Toyota Fortuner.

“We are deeply saddened and angered by the brutal and brazen killing of fearless broadcaster, father and husband, brother and friend, Percy Lapid,” read a statement of Lapid’s family posted on Facebook.

“We strongly condemn this deplorable crime; it was committed not only against Percy, his family, and his profession, but against our country, his beloved Philippines, and the truth,” added the statement posted by Lapid’s younger brother, journalist and former National Press Club president Roy Mabasa.

Prior to his passing, Lapid was the anchor of DWBL 1242’s Lapid Fire radio news commentary program, where he provided scathing criticism of alleged abuses and irregularities by the government. Additionally, he had worked as a broadcaster for DWIZ radio.

Lapid, according to the NUJP, is the second journalist to die while President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. was in office. The first was Rey Blanco, a radio host who was fatally stabbed in Negros Oriental last month.

Since then, Lapid’s social media posts have been deluged with comments demanding justice for his murder.

The Philippine National Police pledged to bring those responsible accountable, noting that the investigation is ongoing and that local police have formed a special investigative task team.

In his final program, which aired on September 30, Lapid discussed the risks of red-tagging as well as other political topics.