75 media killing cases dismissed or closed over 40 years—PTFoMS

The Presidential Task Force on Media Security (PTFoMS) said Wednesday that a total of 75 media killing cases since 1986 have been dismissed, closed, archived, or have no record.

“Bakit itong naging closed? Kasi dahil wala na po nag pu-pursue. Bakit hindi na na pu-pursue? Dahil siguro may mga dialogue or meron wala nang nagka-interest sa mga kaso,” PTFoMS Executive Director Undersecretary Jose Torres Jr. said.

(Why were the cases closed? Because no one is pursuing it anymore. Why is no one pursuing it? Maybe because there has been a dialogue, or no one is interested in the cases anymore.)

“Subalit kung meron man, kahit ito man ay mga na-dismiss na kasi, binabalikan ito ng PTFoMs, NBI, at ng PNP para ma-investigate yung mga kaso na na-dismiss,” he added.

(If there are people who have an interest in it, despite being dismissed, the PTFoMs, National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), and the Philippine National Police (PNP) will revisit and reopen the investigation.)

Of the 200 media killing cases since 1986, 75 resulted in convictions, 26 are under trial, and 24 remain under investigation, Torres said.

Based on PTFoMS data provided to GMA News Online, recorded media killings per presidential term as of January 2026 are:

• Corazon Aquino: 21
• Fidel Ramos: 11
• Joseph Estrada: 4
• Gloria Arroyo: 83
• Benigno Aquino III: 39
• Rodrigo Duterte: 34
• Ferdinand Marcos Jr.: 8

Torres made the statement during a partnership signing with the NBI aimed at promoting and protecting the safety of media workers.

“Through this, the NBI will enhance its capacity to address cases involving media personnel with greater speed, sensitivity, and position,” NBI Director Lito Magno said.

“It [memorandum of agreement] strengthens our capacity for timely response, effective case buildup, and ensuring that crimes against journalists do not go unanswered,” Torres added.

The partnership also established NBI media defenders, a team dedicated to handling media-related cases.

Protecting Cumpio’s rights

Community journalist and radio broadcaster Frenchie Cumpio was found guilty of terror financing and sentenced to up to 18 years, along with her roommate Marielle Domequil.

In its ruling, the court said the two provided and delivered P100,000 in cash and ammunition to members of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army in Catbalogan City in March 2019.

Torres said PTFoMS is ensuring Cumpio’s rights and welfare are respected.

“We ensure that the rights, welfare, health, and security of Frenchie [are maintained] during her detention. We ensured that those who want to visit, even from the international community, were able to visit her,” Torres said.

“However, we decided we had to respect the decision of the court. We abide by the court’s decision,” he added.

Several groups staged a protest at the Department of Justice calling for the release of Cumpio and Domequil.—MCG, GMA Integrated News