Malacañang condemned on Thursday (Dec. 9) “in the strongest possible terms” the killing of journalist Jesus “Jess” Malabanan in Calbayog City on Wednesday (Dec. 8).
In a statement, Cabinet Secretary and Acting Presidential Spokesperson Karlo Nograles said the Presidential Task Force on Media Security (PTFoMS) has been “looking into the incident and exploring all angles, including the possibility that the killing was related to his work as a journalist.”
Nograles said the PTFoMS is urging those with information on the incident to cooperate with authorities.
“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,” he said.
Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra earlier said he will direct the PTFoMS to “look into this violent incident,” with a possible parallel investigation on their end if the incident is work-related.
PTFoMS Executive Director Joel Sy Egco also condemned the murder of the journalist who served as a correspondent of Manila Standard Today, and assured that the task force is on top of the situation.
“Jess is a personal friend of mine. 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,” he said.
The Philippine National Police (PNP) said a task group has been mobilized for the coordination of “all actions of regional investigative units.”
“The PNP is doing its best to immediately identify and arrest the person responsible for Malabanan’s death. I instructed the Regional Director of Police Regional Office 8 (PRO8) to create a Special Investigation Task Group to expedite the resolution of this case,” PNP Chief Gen. Dionardo Carlos said.
“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,” he added.
Initial reports state that Malabanan was killed by unidentified gunmen in their family store in Purok 12, Brgy. San Joaquin in Tinambacan District around 6:30 p.m.
The assailants left the crime scene using a motorcycle. – With reports from Mela Lesmoras/AG-rir
