IN the wake of surprising developments related to the killing of veteran radio broadcaster Percival Mabasa (Percy Lapid), the National Press Club (NPC) is still thankful that the interior sector of the government has shown concern for the safety of its members and the organization as a whole.

National Press Club (NPC) president Lydia Bueno yesterday extended her gratitude to the “extra efforts” of the police in protecting the working journalists.

Interior Secretary Benjamin “Benhur” Abalos Jr. invited the media in a dialogue where the mediamen’s safety was on top of the topic.

Held at the Multi-Purpose Hall of Camp Crame in Quezon City, Abalos and ranking police officials shared thoughts and exchanged insights with the journalists during the three-hour “UMAGANG USAPAN kasama si Sec. Benhur Abalos.”

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. relayed his message of concern to the working media through Office of Press Secretary (OPS) Officer-in-Charge Cheloy Garafil.

“Alam namin na hindi kami nag-iisa, andyan ang ating kapulisan para protektahan tayo,” Bueno said.

The NPC head added; “Ramdam namin ang inyong presensya, natakot lang kami sa inyong pagkatok,” referring to the controversial “visitation practice” suddenly employed by the police wherein they knock on the doors of the journalists just to ask if they have received threats of their lives.

Although several minds were in favor of the approach, others expressed opposition to it prompting the National Capital Regional Police Office (NCRPO) to have this stopped.

In one instance, GMA reporter JP Soriano said a policeman came to his private residence to check if he had received any threats to his life.

Abalos advised the press people not to ignore threats and report it immediately to the nearest police station.

The police during the dialogue, assured that help will come in an hour to every journalist’s call for assistance.

Personalities and groups attending the “Umagang Usapan,” include PNP officer-in-charge Police Lt. Gen. Rhodel Sermonia, NPC officials, Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas, and the Presidential Task Force on Media Security.

Mabasa or Percy Lapid was shot dead inside his black Innova car in Las Pinas.

Confessed gun Joel Escorial surrendered and named names and a shocking revelation that the so-called “middleman” who contacted him was detained at the New Bilibid Prisons (NBP) in Muntinlupa.

The same day of Escorial’s surrender, the alleged “broker” died of a heart attack in the hospital.