Yet another task force.
For the second time in two days, the Philippine National Police created on Wednesday a new task force to investigate the killing of a radio commentator, this time in Ilocos Norte.
In a radio interview, PNP spokesman Chief Superintendent Leonardo Espina said PNP chief Director General Jesus Verzosa ordered the task force to prioritize the case of Joselito Agustin.
"Very particular si Chief PNP na i-solve agad ang kasong ito, ito ang binibigyan niyang prayoridad (The Chief PNP is very particular in having this case solved. He wants it prioritized)," Espina told dzRH radio.
"Pina-form agad ang isang special investigation task force upang tugisin kung sino man ang may kagagawan nito, mag-file ng kaso sa perpetrators and immediately give justice to your radio announcer last night (Verzosa ordered the special investigation task force formed to track down the perpetrators and file cases against them, to give justice to your radio announcer)," he added.
Laoag-based dzJC Aksyon Radyo is a sister station of dzRH.
Espina said Verzosa named Ilocos regional police director Chief Superintendent Constante Azares Jr. to head the task force looking into Agustin's killing.
Less than 24 hours
Unidentified motorcycle-riding men shot Agustin at the boundary of Laoag City and Bacarra town late Tuesday night. Agustin died at a hospital past 1 a.m. Wednesday. [See: Broadcaster killed in Ilocos shooting, 2nd in 24 hours]
The attack on Agustin came less than 24 hours after a gunman shot dead Desidario Camangyan of Sunrise Radio in Manay town in Davao Oriental province. A separate police task force was formed Tuesday to look into Camangyan's killing. [See: Broadcaster shot dead in Davao Oriental - police]
Espina said Verzosa will personally follow up the progress of both investigations.
"He personally follows up all regional directors on the progress reports," he said.
At the same time, Espina said Verzosa also ordered tighter security for threatened journalists and elected officials.
"Verzosa ordered coordination with media and elected officials who receive death threats so the necessary security measures and provisions can be given immediately," he said.
NUJP tally
A tally on the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines website shows that since democracy was restored in 1986, a total of 137 journalists have been killed. Most of those killed (104) happened under the administration of outgoing President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.
The figures excluded the killings in Davao Oriental (Camangyan) and Ilocos Norte (Agustin). — RSJ
