Metro Manila, Philippines – Mark Mabasa, the singer and son of murdered broadcaster Percy Lapid, has been detained by US immigration authorities in California pending his family’s asylum case.
Philippine Ambassador to the US Jose Manuel Romualdez confirmed the detention and the coordination with US authorities.
“Yes, our consul general in LA, Consul General Adel Cruz, is coordinating with Homeland Security on this case,” Romualdez told NewsWatch Plus.
US Immigration and Customs Enforcement records show Mark Louis Santiago Mabasa has been held at the Adelanto Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) processing center in California.
His uncle, journalist Roy Mabasa, said the family is unclear on the reason for his detention.
“According to the information I have, yes. I’m still baffled as to why he’s being detained,” Roy told NewsWatch Plus.
“Their asylum case is still under consideration, and I assume he has a valid work permit,” he added.
Roy said a hearing in Mark’s case is scheduled for Oct. 2, which coincides with the fourth anniversary of the killing of his father, broadcaster Percival “Percy Lapid” Mabasa.
Mark and other members of Lapid’s family fled to the US in February 2023 in light of threats to their safety after the broadcaster’s murder. The family later sought asylum in the US.
Mark was reportedly detained by ICE agents on Sept. 21 after returning to Los Angeles from Chicago, where he had performed at a show.
The specific immigration grounds for his detention have not been publicly disclosed.
Lapid, a radio commentator and prominent critic of government officials, was shot dead in Las Piñas City on Oct. 3, 2022.
