SEVERAL foreign embassies have expressed concern over the killing of veteran radio commentator Percival Mabasa, or popularly known as Percy Lapid.

The embassies of Canada and the Netherlands were the first to comment on social media.

“We express our grave concern about the killing of broadcast commentator Mr. Percival Mabasa (a.k.a Percy Lapid) by unidentified assailants last night [Monday night]. We extend our deepest sympathies to his family and loved ones,” a series of tweets from the Canadian embassy wrote on Tuesday. “Journalist killings strike at the very core of media freedom and can create a chilling effect that curtails the ability of journalists to report news freely and safely. Such attacks on media workers must be urgently investigated, and those responsible must be held to account.”

Canada and the Netherlands also welcomed the swift action of Philippine authorities to investigate Lapid’s killing and have urged them “to take concrete steps to ensure not only that the perpetrators are brought to justice, but to create a safe environment for journalists to carry out their work without fear for their lives and safety.”

The embassies of Canada and the Netherlands are co-chairmen of the Media Freedom Coalition.

The French, British and Danish embassies, along with the European Union’s (EU) mission, all of which echoed the statement of the Canadian embassy.

“The Embassy of France in the Philippines expresses its solidarity with the family of Mr. Mabasa. It supports the declaration by the Media Freedom Coalition co-chairs,” the French embassy wrote on Twitter. “France reaffirms its resolute, unwavering commitment to the freedom of the press, freedom of speech and protection of journalists.”

“[UK in the Philippines] fully supports the statement of the Media Freedom Coalition. We urge the Filipino authorities to ensure that the perpetrators of the killing of Percival Mabasa are brought to justice and to create a safe environment for all journalists in the Philippines,” the British Embassy in Manila wrote in a tweet.

“The Danish Embassy supports the statement by @CanEmbPH and @NLinPhilippines [Canadian and Dutch embassies], co-chairs of the @MediaFreedomC [Media Freedom Coalition], on the killing of broadcast commentator and journalist, Percival Mabasa,” Denmark’s embassy wrote on Twitter.

“The EU in the Philippines supports the statement issued by the Canadian and Dutch embassies on the killing of journalist Percival Mabasa,” the European Union’s mission in the Philippines wrote.

Lapid was killed on Monday night outside a village in Las Piñas by two men on motorcycle, on his way to a radio broadcast.