PH gov't urged to intervene as Percy Lapid's son faces US hearing

MANILA – Senator Risa Hontiveros on Friday pressed the Philippine government to step up efforts to secure the release of slain broadcaster Percy Lapid's son from U.S. immigration detention as he is scheduled to appear before an immigration court exactly four years after his father's killing.

Mark Mabasa has been detained at the Adelanto Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Processing Center in California since Sept. 21, while his family's asylum case remains pending. The specific reason for his detention has yet to be publicly disclosed.

“It is unacceptable that a person who has been seeking asylum is detained without a clear reason,” Hontiveros said.

“Matagal nang nag-apply ng asylum si Mark at ang iba pang myembro ng pamilya ni Percy Lapid pagkatapos ng katakot-takot na mga death threats dito sa Pilipinas (Mark and other members of Percy Lapid's family applied for asylum a long time ago following the terrifying death threats they received here in the Philippines). Our government should be able to help expedite his release as soon as possible,” she added.

Mabasa's immigration hearing is scheduled Friday, Oct. 2, coinciding with the fourth anniversary of the killing of his father, whose real name was Percival Mabasa.

Hontiveros said she has raised Mabasa's case with Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Manuel Romualdez, U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines Lee Lipton and Philippine Consul General in Los Angeles Adel Cruz.

Romualdez earlier confirmed that the Philippine consulate was coordinating with U.S. authorities on Mabasa's case. Consular officials have also visited Mabasa in detention and said they are prepared to provide assistance within their mandate and U.S. laws.

The Mabasa family sought asylum in the U.S. after receiving threats following Lapid's murder. Mark and other family members reportedly left the Philippines for the U.S. in February 2023. (PNA)