Several suspects eyed in journalist’s murder, says media security task force

 

MANILA, Philippines — The Presidential Task Force on Media Security on Monday said that two to three suspects may be involved in the murder of reporter and radio anchor Orlando “Dondon” Dinoy.

Dinoy, who worked for a local publication and a broadcast station and a former correspondent of the Philippine Daily Inquirer, was gunned down in his residence in Bansalan, Davao del Sur on Saturday, October 30.

He was the 21st journalist killed since 2016, according to the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP).

In an interview on ANC’s Rundown, Media Security Task Force Executive Director Undersecretary Joel Egco was mum on details of Dinoy’s death but shared that they are looking into the possible involvement of two or three individuals.

“Whether work-related or not, we’re going to get to the bottom of this and we’re going to make them pay, the perpetrators,” Egco said.

“So, we’re looking at about two or three na nagsagawa nito (who did this). May mga details na po tayo (We already have details) and other sensitive information that we have but we cannot share it for now. But, eventually,” he added.

“So, kailangan may presumption talaga na maaring work-related ito (There must be a presumption that it is work-related) and then we piece together all the facts and the results of the investigation,” Egco pointed out.

NUJP chairperson Jonathan de Santos welcomed the task force’s presumption.

“We do welcome the presumption at least that it is work-related and that there will be a special investigation task group into the killing. We do hope nga na may (that there will be a) breakthrough,” de Santos said.

The government on Sunday condemned Dinoy’s killing and ordered the local police to conduct an investigation.

RELATED STORIES:

Media security task force ‘crucial in safeguarding press freedom’ — Duterte

PH still among deadliest places for journalists

 gsg