PBBM ‘ready to help’ in finding Percy Lapid’s killers: Bersamin

MANILA – Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin on Thursday visited the wake of slain broadcaster Percival C. Mabasa, otherwise known as Percy Lapid, at the Manila Memorial Park in Parañaque City.

He relayed President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s condolences to Lapid’s family, as well as the President’s willingness to help find the culprit behind the veteran broadcaster’s killing.

“We are ready to help. The President wants to send that message,” Bersamin, accompanied by Deputy Executive Secretary Hubert Guevara, said.

He said the Presidential Task Force on Media Security (PTFoMS) has already been directed to look into Lapid’s case.

“Everything will be done to get to the bottom of this,” he said.

Marcos is “concerned” over the killing of Lapid, who was shot dead on Monday while he was on his way home, Guevara said on Tuesday.

Guevara also said concerned agencies are expected to submit a report on Lapid’s slay “within the next seven days.”

Lapid was killed by two gunmen on board a motorcycle at about 8:40 p.m. Monday at the gate of BF Resort along Aria Street, Barangay Talon 2, Las Piñas City.

On Wednesday, Marcos vowed to support and protect media rights under his watch, assuring the Philippine press of his willingness to lend an ear and listen to all their concerns.

He made the vow, as he acknowledged the vital role of media workers and their “proactive participation” in keeping the public well informed.

Meeting with OPS personnel

Meanwhile, Bersamin and Guevara also met with personnel of the Office of the Press Secretary (OPS).

The two Palace officials met with the OPS employees, pending the appointment of a new press secretary.

The two paid a visit to the OPS personnel to check on their current condition.

“Ang buong Office of the Press Secretary ay nagagalak at nagpapasalamat sa pagbisita ni Executive Secretary Lucas Purugganan Bersamin at Senior Deputy Executive Secretary Hubert Guevara ngayong araw, Oktubre 6 (The entire Office of the Press Secretary is delighted and thankful over Executive Secretary Lucas Purugganan Bersamin and Senior Deputy Executive Secretary Hubert Guevara’s visit today, October 6),” the OPS said in its official Facebook page.

Trixie Cruz-Angeles on Tuesday announced that she resigned as press secretary because of “health reasons.”

In a chance interview with select Palace reporters on Thursday, Marcos said he is expected to name the new press secretary “early next week.”

Marcos said he wants the next press secretary to be someone who is “very experienced” and knows how to deliver the right message to the public.

He also hinted that the new head of the OPS might be a “journalist” or a “media practitioner.”