I repeat my expression of sympathy to the family of a fallen comrade, Percival Mabasa a.k.a. Percy Lapid, hard-hitting radio commentator of “Lapid Fire” fame.
I also repeat what I said in my previous column that my condolence becomes all the more sincere, since what happened to Mabasa/Lapid could happen to me or other opinion-makers, whose biting commentaries may have hurt the sensibilities of some powerful individuals.
Life is cheap in this country where the murder of a journalist with an acerbic pen or tongue is considered par for the course.
Since 1986, during the time of the Cory Aquino dispensation up to the present, 197 journalists have been killed in the line of duty.
So, when the family of the latest slain broadcaster accuses me of desecrating his memory, they’re being irresponsible and downright birdbrained.
Why should I “throw a wrench in the probe over (Lapid’s) death” – to quote a website commentary – when I and other opinion-makers like him should be concerned over our own safety?
“First (sic), we appeal to Mr. Tulfo to respect Percy’s family members, who are still grieving over the death of Percy and reeling from this great loss. Second (sic), Roy was acting proactively to ensure thorough investigation of the case, which all families of murder victims have the right to do,” Lapid’s family said.
Dudes, perhaps you don’t know the meaning of “proactively.” The dictionary defines “proactive” as “acting in anticipation of future problems, needs or changes.”
If that’s not interfering in the investigation into Lapid’s death, I don’t know what is.
Roy Mabasa, the murdered broadcaster’s brother, should not interfere in the probe for the sake of delicadeza (propriety or decency).
Being a top-notch police reporter (allegedly), Mabasa should know that interfering in a police investigation can be considered a criminal offense. It’s called obstruction of justice.
Police or crime reporters in my time never interfered in police investigations not because we feared getting arrested for obstruction of justice, but because we respect the job of the police.
Mabasa, columnist for Politiko, an online publication, and Abante, a tabloid, denied he asked the support of the US embassy to seek protection for him and his family as this columnist reportedly alleged.
I was just quoting his big mouth.
Let me refresh Mabasa, who was apparently interviewed by OneNews.PH: “Mabasa also bared that he called on the US embassy to ask the government to help ensure the family’s safety.”
OneNews.PH is the online presence of OneNews, the all-news channel of Cignal TV and the synergy of journalistic strengths of The Philippine STAR, Philstar.com, TV5 Network Inc. and BusinessWorld.
Is Mabasa saying that OneNews.PH, a reputable online news website, is a liar?
“The fact is embassies of several countries reached out to Roy – who covered foreign affairs as a diplomatic reporter (sic) for many years – to offer their support and express their concern over the murder of Percy and the many unsolved killings of journalists in the Philippines,” Politiko quoted the Mabasa family as saying.
Foreign embassies may have expressed their condolences, but for crying out loud, why should they “express concern over the murder of Percy and the many unsolved killings of journalists in the Philippines!”
Granting foreign embassies expressed concern over Lapid’s murder, isn’t that interference in the domestic affairs of their host country?
Politiko said the Lapid family hoped I would “refrain from being vengeful and disparaging Percy’s family members because the broadcaster had criticized him on his radio show in the past.”
How presumptuous of them! I never once listened to Lapid’s commentaries, and I couldn’t care less if he blasted me. I can take what I dish out.
Mabasa should stop giving his two cents’ worth and leave everything to investigators when it comes to unmasking the mastermind and other suspects behind his brother’s death.
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What’s wrong with the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), supposedly the country’s premier law enforcement agency?
The NBI said national penitentiary inmate Jun Villamor, pointed to by Percy Lapid’s killer as the middleman in the assassination, was not a victim of foul play, and that he died of natural causes.
The NBI autopsy found there “were no apparent signs of external physical injury” on Villamor’s body, suggesting he might have had a previous heart illness.
But Dr. Raquel Fortun, a reputable forensic pathologist at the University of the Philippines, said Villamor died of suffocation, indicating his head was probably wrapped in a plastic bag.
The NBI should get new pathologists because the current ones are probably too old to be of use.
* * *
At least eleven officials holding the rank of director at the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) are the objects of grumblings within the department.
These directors are not eligible for their key posts since they don’t hold CESO positions, according to insiders.
“Why them, when there are many career officials who hold CESO positions?” said a disgruntled insider.
CESO stands for “career executive service officer.” These people have undergone multiple examinations and required schooling for certain positions.
CESO holders are given priority in appointments to career positions, as required by law.
Grumblings within the DPWH may lead to inefficiency among its officials and employees. Inefficiency may lead to bridges that collapse or pockmarked highways.