PNP vows to bring justice

for slain Percy Lapid; says

probe underway
By: Beatrice Pinlac - @inquirerdotnet
INQUIRER.net / 10:17 AM October 04, 2022

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police (PNP) has vowed to bring
justice for ambushed veteran broadcaster Percival Mabasa, more popularly known as
Percy Lapid, who was gunned down near his home in Las Piñas City.

The PNP also said in a statement Tuesday that a probe is in motion to identify his
assailants as well as the reason behind his killing. Lapid was a staunch critic of the
Duterte and Marcos administrations.
A special investigation task force has been formed by the Las Piñas City station of the
National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) to lead the probe while the PNP
Media Vanguard was tasked to oversee it.

Estomo later added: “We will update the public in any smallest detail as to the
development of the investigation. We guarantee to bring swift justice to the victim
and his family.”

“The PNP vows to bring justice to an attack against a member of the media industry.
Investigation is underway to determine the culprits and motive of this case,” it said,
noting that the police have since started coordinating with Lapid’s family and
colleagues to gather more evidence and testimonies about the incident.

“While his work as a radio commentator involves discussion of critical issues, we

cannot fully conclude as of this time that the motive is work-related, but we are
exploring all possible angles as of this time,” the PNP added.

24 hours

In a separate statement, NCRPO chief Brig. Gen. Jonnel Estomo said they have
created a special investigation task group called “SITG Lapid” which includes the
PNP’s Criminal Investigation and Detection Group and Intelligence Group.

Estomo also said he gave Las Piñas City Police chief Col. Jaime Santos and the
investigators “24 hours to shed light on the matter and solve the case.”

“NCRPO acknowledges the indispensable part of our media friends in fair, truthful,
and timely dissemination of information to multitudes of audiences,” he said.

“We will update the public in any smallest detail as to the development of the
investigation. We guarantee to bring swift justice to the victim and his family,” he
added.

Lapid was shot dead on Monday night by a motorcycle-riding suspect at the gate of a
subdivision along Aria St. in Talon Dos, police said. Another suspect, an alleged
accomplice, onboard a Toyota Fortuner bumped the rear portion of the victim’s
Toyota Innova before the shooting happened, police also said.

Lapid hosted a radio news commentary show on DWBL 1242 called Lapid Fire,
where he aired sharp criticisms against the government.
He is the second journalist reported to have been killed under the Marcos
administration.

Last September 18, radio broadcaster Rey Blanco – who was known for his hard-
hitting commentaries in Nosi Balasi – was stabbed to death in Mabinay, Negros
Oriental.

To recall, the Philippines in 2021 kept its spot as the seventh worst country when it
comes to unsolved killings of journalists, according to the Committee to Protect
Journalists’ Global Impunity Index.
Frulein G. Balanlay Ma’am Lorace Lopez
Gr. 12-HUMSS E Critique Paper

“PNP vows to bring justice for slain Percy Lapid; says probe underway”

In the article entitled “PNP vows to bring justice for slain Percy Lapid; says probe
underway” written by Beatrice Pinlac and dated October 4, 2022. The Philippine National Police
{PNP} vowed that they will bring justice for ambushed veteran broadcaster Percival Mabasa or
more popularly known as Percy Lapid. He was shot dead on Monday night {Oct. 3, 2022} by a
motorcycle-riding suspect at the gate of the subdivision along Aria St. in Talon Dos. This whole
incident shocked the netizens, especially those who had been supporting him and watching and
listening to his broadcast.
Percy Lapid was the second journalist reported to have been killed under marcos
administration. As the article state the statements of the investigators about the incident, the
PNP also said that a probe is in motion to identify Percy’s assailants as well as the reason
behind his killing. Recently, the authorities said they have identified a person of interest, but his
face was hard to make out in the photo released to the public. The government reward for the
information about him has gone up to P1.5 million. The increase in the reward might also be
the reason to get the killer caught and to unmask the person behind this killing if there is one.
The article also presents that the NCRPO chief said that they have created a special
investigation task group which includes the PNP’s Criminal Investigation and Detection Group
and Intelligence Group. The progress or update of this investigation will slowly help to give the
victim and the family the justice that they deserve.
The news article was interesting to read with the news of killings are all over the
world, especially to Percy Lapid, he was the biggest loss for us as he speak on behalf of us and
speak of the truth. In his case, the rival political camp seem oblivious to how the charges and
countercharges might be affecting his family and love ones. It is bad enough that they lack the
privacy to grieve in private. And it is not hard to imagine how the conspiracy theories swirling
from various political groups are likely adding to the confusion and aggravating their sense of
loss.