SA KANILANG twitter account, inihayag ng Canadian Embassy sa Filipinas ang kanilang matinding malasakit sa pagpaslang sa broadcast journalist na si Percival Mabasa, a.k.a.Percy Lapid ng hindi kilalang mga suspek ng nakaraang gabi.
Anila, ang pagpaslang sa isang mamamahayag ay may hagupit sa sentro ng malayang pamamahayag at maaaring lumikha ng panlalamig na makaaapekto sakakayahan ng mga mamamahayag na mag-ulat nang ligtas at Malaya.
“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. Journalist killings strike at the very core of media freedom & can create a chilling effect that curtails the ability of journalists to report news freely & safely,” pahayag ng Canadian Embassy sa kanilang twitter.
Anila, ang kagayang pag-atake sa media workers ay kailangan ng agarang imbestigasyon at ang mga may gawa o repsonsable ay dapat panagutin.
Hinikayat ng Embahada ang mga awtoridad sa bansa na imbestigahan ang pagpaslang kay Mabasa, at magsagawa ng konkretong hakbang hindi lamang para bitbitin sa hustisya ang mga may kagagawan, kundi lumikha rin ng ligtas na kapaligiran para sa mga mamamahayag upang gampanan ang kanilang trabaho at tungkulin nang hindi natatakot para sa kanilang buhay at kaligtasan.
“Such attacks on media workers must be urgently investigated, and those responsible must be held to account. As co-chairs of the @MediaFreedomC, we welcome the swift action of law enforcement agencies to investigate Mr. Mabasa’s death, and urge Philippine authorities to take concrete steps to ensure not only that the perpetrators are brought to justice, but to create a safe environment for journalists to carry out their work without fear for their lives and safety,” ddin sa kanilang twitter ng Canadian embassy.
Ang pahayag ng Canadian embassy ay sinuportahan ng tatlong embahada — ang United Kingdom, Denmark, at France.
“@ukinphilippines 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,” pahayag ng UK Embassy sa twitter.
Ganito rin ang paninindigan ng Danish Embassy sa kanilang twitter: “The Danish Embassy supports the statement by @CanEmbPH and @NLinPhilippines, co-chairs of the @MediaFreedomC, on the killing of broadcast commentator & journalist, Percival Mabasa (#PercyLapid).”
Habang ang France ay sinabing, “The Embassy of France in the Philippines expresses its solidarity with the family of Mr. Mabasa. It supports the declaration by the Media Freedom Coalition co-chairs. France reaffirms its resolute, unwavering commitment to the freedom of the press, freedom of speech and protection of journalists.”