The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) conducted a protest to call for swift justice for veteran broadcaster Pervical Mabasa or Percy Lapid, who was brazenly shot dead exactly a year ago today, Oct. 3.

Members of NUJP along with the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism (PCIJ) flocked in front of the Department of Justice (DOJ) in Manila, calling also for press freedom.

In an interview with the media, NUJP Secretary General Len Olea said the broadcaster's murder only showed how deadly the media profession in the country.

According to Olea, 178 journalists have been prosecuted since 1986 — the year that the country overthrew the Marcos dictatorship and restored democracy.

"Matatawag ba natin na demokrasya kung ang kasamahan natin sa media ay binubusalan sa pamamagitan ng pagpaslang, pagsampa ng gawa-gawang kaso gaya ng illegal possession of firearms and explosives na ginawa kay Frenchie Mae Cumpio," she said.

Meanwhile, PCIJ Martha Teodoro called for urgent court hearings on Lapid's case.

She added that the court must ensure that the accused are presented by their lawyers, "so that court proceedings are not delayed due their absences."

Echoing the NUJP's statement, Teodoro also said that the death of Lapid bared how dangerous the country "has become for media workers, particularly for hard-hitting radio commentators."

"The Philippines is the most dangerous country in the world, out of the 178 cases in the country," she added.

On Oct. 4, 2022, Lapid was shot dead inside his vehicle while he was entering an exclusive village in Las Piñas City, where he was supposed to do his show “Lapid Fire" in DWBL 1242.

In April this year, the Regional Trial Courts of Las Piñas and Muntinlupa have respectively issued an arrest warrant against alleged suspects, former Bureau of Correction chief Gerald Bantag, former BuCor deputy security officer Ricardo Zulueta, and two Bilibid inmates who are allegedy behind Lapid's murder.