Task Group to probe killing of Dumaguete journo activated

The Presidential Task Force on Media Security (PTFOMS) on Tuesday started an investigation on the killing of radio broadcaster Edmund Sestoso.

The 51-year-old journalist, who anchors a local morning news and public affairs program in Dumaguete City, was shot by masked gunmen near his boarding house in Barangay Daro on Monday.

Sestoso was rushed to the Silliman University Medical Center but he died of multiple organ failure and shock brought about by his injuries the following day.

PTFOMS head, Presidential Communications Undersecretary Joel Sy Egco said Dumaguete City police officials have been directed to conduct a thorough investigation.

He said a Special Investigation Task Group Sestoso had been activated and that a case conference was held on Tuesday morning.

Egco added that he and his co-chair, Presidential Communications Secretary Martin Andanar, have planned a personal visit to Sestoso's wake and conduct a conference.

"As in previous cases, I will see to it that I won't come back empty-handed," he said.

The undersecretary noted that he and Andanar were "close" friends with Sestoso.

The veteran journalist's killing has been condemned by media organizations, including the Dumaguete Press Club and the National Union of Journalists in the Philippines (NUJP).

In a statement, the PTFOMS said it is still to be confirmed if the shooting incident is part of its mandate in relation to President Rodrigo Duterte's Administrative Order No. 1 on "protecting the life, liberty and security of media workers, there is a possibility that the shooting may be related to Sestoso's work as a broadcaster."

Egco said it may be expected that there would be similar incidents before and during barangay elections.

"However, we will see to it that safety nets will be in place," Egco wrote.

"Our media partners will soon issue a bulletin for those planning to have new block time radio programs and those wanting to publish newspapers that may be financed by rival politicians," he added. — BAP, GMA News