Police on Wednesday said the dash cam footage from the car of slain broadcaster Percival Mabasa could help identify his killers, adding that they already have a lead on the case.
The footage, which was released Wednesday, showed the motorcycle that the gunmen used in the ambush in Las Piñas City. It also showed the gunmen going to Mabasa’s side of his vehicle before gunshots were heard. The killers were seen fleeing the scene.
Mabasa’s car hit the vehicle in front of it after the gunshots were heard.
Police said they were reviewing CCTV footage showing the gunmen following Mabasa into a residential village in Las Piñas.
Meanwhile, the Palace said the government is ready to help the family of Mabasa, popularly known as Percy Lapid.
“We are ready to help. The President wants to send that message,” Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin told Mabasa’s widow and son.
He said the President has ordered Palace officials to keep an eye on the investigation into the journalist’s killing.
He assured Mabasa’s family that everything would be done to get to the bottom of his killing.
Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos earlier offered a P500,000 reward for any information that will lead to the arrest of those responsible for Mabasa’s murder.
“I’m taking this on my own as a family friend. I’m offering P500,000 of my own money for any information that can help us,” he said.
Mabasa’s brother, Roy, who is also a journalist, welcomed the reward offer.
“It is good they are offering a reward because that will help to hasten the processes of investigation,” he said.
Mabasa was the host of the online broadcast program “Lapid Fire” at DWBL 1242 and a columnist for Hataw.
He was critical of the policies of the Duterte and Marcos administrations.
He has been also critical of “red-tagging”—accusing someone of being a communist sympathizer — as well as online gambling operations and misinformation around martial law, according to the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines.
