Senator Risa Hontiveros urged all journalists to continue fulfilling their duties and not be afraid of telling the truth despite the assasination of the veteran radio commentator Percival Mabasa known as Percy Lapid.

“First, they came for the journalists. We don’t know what happened after that. The attacks on the free press & journalists are a danger to our democracy & to us Filipinos.”  Hontiveros tweeted 

According to the senator, the assassination of Percy Lapid terrifies the journalists and the future journalists but they should not be disheartened and discouraged. 

In addition to her statement, "This is an obvious violation of press freedom. However, this also illustrates the inherent power of communication and telling the truth” 

She then pleaded for justice with Lapid's loved ones.

Moreover, the senator assured her support for press freedom. 

"Suportahan po natin ang isa't isa na patuloy na maging tapat sa ating misyon sa buhay tulad ng kay Ka Percy at kami po ay kasama ninyo. Hindi kayo nag-iisa mga mamamahayag ng Pilipinas," she stated. 

Senator Risa Hontiveros also expressed her condolences to the family of the famous radio commentator Percy Lapid. 

"Lubos akong nakikiramay kay Liza na kapwa balo ko at ang kanyang anim na anak dahil inagaw sa kanila sa isa sa pinakamasakit na paraan ang kanilang pinakamamahal na asawa at Papa," she said. 

According to the Police Lt.Col. Dexter Versola; the spokesperson of the National Capital Region Office,  that they are investigating if Percy Lapid’s profession is the reason for the assasination. 

"Highly probable po na doon po sa kanyang profession 'ang tinitingnan. Kasama po sa backtracking kung ano po 'yung naging komentaryo, mga programa po ni Percival. 'Yun po ang tinitingnan anggulo, kung ano 'yung mga naging komentaryo, nasabi doon sa kanyang broadcast sa program," he stated. 

Francis Pangilinan also showed his condolences to the family of Percy Lapid and promised that he will help in anything and will help them to know the truth behind the brutal assasination of the veteran radio commentator Percy Lapid. 

"Alalayan natin at kung mayroon silang kailangan, suporta sa imbestigasyon para malaman ang katotohanan, kung sino ang mga nasa likod nito, nandito lang tayo, tutulong, aalalay," ayon kay Pangilinan.

Hontiveros then said, “We will never tolerate a society that is afraid of the truth. On the contrary, we will pursue our fight for justice and truth for our children’s sake.” 

References: 

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1674864/journalists-deaths-will-never-silence-us-hontiveros