THE National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) yesterday released a new wanted poster of the suspect or person of interest in the killing of radio broadcaster Percival Mabasa, more popularly known as Percy Lapid.
The poster included a new picture of the suspect and the bigger reward of P6.5 million for information that will to the killers’ arrest.
The picture of the new poster, police said, is basically the same as pictures attached to the first wanted posters it released a few days ago.
“They’re the same, it was just enhanced,” said NCRPO spokesman Lt. Col. Dexter Versola said of the photo on the new wanted poster.
The suspect’s image on the new wanted poster was from chest to the head.
Two wanted posters were released by NCRPO last Friday — one with the suspect’s image from head to stomach, and the other image was from head to feet.
Police have said the suspect’s image was captured by close-circuit television cameras installed along roads where Lapid passed before he was gunned down at the gate of BF Resort Village in Las Piñas City on October 3.
The poster’s updated reward of P6.5 million includes the P5 million from lawmakers, which House Speaker Martin Romualdez announced on Sunday night.
Romualdez said the bounty will come from the personal contributions of House members who were “shocked and disturbed by the killing.”
“We in the House view with concern the killing of Percy Mabasa. The perpetrators and the masterminds behind this dastardly act must be brought to justice at all costs,” Romualdez said. “Violence has no place in a civilized society like ours.”
The Speaker, whose family owns a newspaper, lamented the continued violence against the media, saying journalists are just doing their jobs.
“The role of journalists is very critical in ensuring transparency in government. Protecting them is very important in guaranteeing freedom of speech and freedom of expression. We in government, consider them as partners in nation-building,” Romualdez said.
The first reward of P1 million was offered by businessman-lawyer Alex Lopez. Interior Secretary Benjamin “Benhur” Abalos Jr also offered P500,000 from his personal pocket.
The PNP said people who know the whereabouts of the suspect may call Smart numbers 0947-4622859 and 0998-5987928 or PLDT numbers 8808-7935 and 8525-8403.
PNP chief Gen. Rodolfo Azurin Jr yesterday urged media practitioners to report to the police any death threat they receive, and proposed a dialogue with media practitioners to determine the level of threat on their lives.
“Our request to our media personnel is tell us if you feel your life is in danger due to the nature of your job. Let’s not wait an incident similar to Sir Percy,” said Azurin. — With Wendell Vigilia
