Malacañang has ordered the Presidential Task Force on Media Security to immediately investigate the killing Tuesday of newsman Jesus “Jess” Malabanan as the Philippine National Police and the Commission on Human Rights gear up for separate but parallel investigation.
“We condemn in the strongest possible terms the tragic murder of Malabanan in Calbayog City,” Cabinet Secretary and acting Presidential Spokesperson Karlo Nograles said in a statement, adding the PTFoMS was now looking into the incident that happened in Calbayog City.
"It likewise urges everyone with information to come forward to authorities and cooperate with law enforcers in order to immediately bring Mr. Malabanan's killers to justice," Nograles added.
Malabanan, 58, was a correspondent for the Manila Standard in the Central Luzon region, and an officer/member of the Pampanga Press Club.
He was the 22nd journalist slain during the Duterte administration.
“We condole with the family, loved ones, and colleagues of Mr. Malabanan and assure them that the government will exert all efforts to ensure that those responsible are caught, charged, and convicted for this crime,” the Palace official added.
Undersecretary Joel Sy Egco of PTFoMS said he would personally oversee the investigation into the killing of Malabanan, whom he described as a "personal friend."“This cowardly killing in the midst of a pandemic is truly unforgivable. We will get to the bottom of this and will stop at nothing in bringing to justice the perpetrators of this despicable crime,” Egco said. (See full story online at manilastandard.net)
According to reports, Malabanan was watching TV inside his house when two armed men shot him from the outside. The gunmen fled right after the incident.
Meanwhile, Philippine National Police chief Gen. Dionardo Carlos has formed a special investigation task group to look into the slaying of Malabanan, adding the police was "doing its best" to identify and arrest the perpetrator.
“We understand the call of the family and different groups to expedite the investigation of the case. These requests will not fall on deaf ears. Establishing the motive of the case can help us in going to the bottom of this. We just need the cooperation of the witnesses,” Carlos said Thursday.
At the same time, the Commission on Human Rights has launched its independent investigation into the killing.
“Without bringing the perpetrators to account, this episode of violence further worsens the climate of impunity and affects the freedom of the press to conduct their work without fear,” spokesperson Jacqueline Ann de Guia said.
Forming the task force are teams from the Regional Criminal Investigation and Detection Group, Forensic Group, Regional Intelligence Unit, and the Calbayog City Police Station under the supervision of the Deputy Regional Director for Operations of Police Regional Office 8.