Media-related killings during the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. have been immediately addressed, the Presidential Task Force on Media Security reported on Tuesday.
“Over all, the reported cases under President Marcos were dealt with quickly,” said task force executive directo Paul Gutierrez said.
“There are warrants, the suspects are in jail, others were being sought, like in the case of Percy Lapid. In the Mindoro case, we personally went to one of the suspects who was in the custody of the NBI. Hearings on the case are about to begin,” he added.
Lapid, a radio broadcaster, was killed in an ambush in Las Piñas City in October 2022.
In May 2023, journalist Cris Bundoquin was shot and killed in Calapan City in Oriental Mindoro.
Gutierrez said the suspect behind the shooting involving photojournalist Joshua Abiad in June 2023 has also been arrested.
“As we strive for a safer media community, we must also recognize the risk that journalists face,” Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla in his message that was read by Gutierrez.
“The Department of Justice, in partnership with PAO, remains committed to protecting the rights of the journalists. The safety of our media practitioners is paramount,” Remulla added.
For her part, Public Attorney’s Office chief Persida Acosta: “If there is a grudge against our brothers and sisters in the media, please go through the legal process and not through weapons or violence. I hope it’s a legal battle, not weapon against weapon.”
