PNP task group to hasten probe of Davao reporter’s killing
ILIGAN CITY, Lanao del Norte, Philippines — The Philippine National Police has formed a special investigation task group to look into the killing of journalist Orlando “Dondon” Dinoy by a man who shot him six times at close range inside the victim’s apartment in Bansalan, Davao del Sur.
Editha Caduaya, publisher of Davao City-based Newsline Philippines where Dinoy worked, said that Police Brig. Gen. Filmore Escobal, the Davao region police director, told her about the creation of the task group and also “assured us of a speedy investigation of the case to unmask the culprit who cowardly killed our helpless reporter.”
Based on the information given by investigators from the Bansalan municipal police office and Scene of the Crime Operatives, Dinoy was preparing dinner in his apartment on Saturday when someone called him from the gate, according to Caduaya.
As the victim opened the gate, a gun-wielding man fired at him twice but missed, hitting instead the tire of his motorcycle. Dinoy then ran inside his apartment where the gunman caught up with him and pumped six bullets into his chest and upper abdomen, killing him instantly.
Caduaya noted that the circumstances of the attack suggested “there was hate and anger,” saying the police were looking into work-related and personal motives. Dinoy started working for Newsline Philippines only in June.
“His reports [were] mostly community development stories and police reports with balanced sources as he adhered to our newsroom policy,” said Caduaya, concurrent president of the Mindanao Independent Press Council.
Dinoy was also a volunteer newscaster, dealing mostly with weather reports for Digos City-based radio Energy FM. He did his broadcasts from inside his apartment.
Before that, the victim was an Inquirer correspondent from 2011 to 2020. He also wrote for SunStar Superbalita in Davao, aside from being a commentator for a Davao del Sur radio station.
Possible motives
The head of the Presidential Task Force on Media Security said they were looking at several possible motives for Dinoy’s murder, including his work, politics and personal life.
Undersecretary Joel Egco said in a text message that it was presumed all media killings were work-related, unless proven otherwise, although other angles would be investigated as well.
He observed that the victim was not known as a hard-hitting reporter, saying that “per Ms. Caduaya, [he did] only straight news and commentaries so there’s no way Dinoy could have earned enemies in relation to media work.”
“There are two angles we are looking at which I cannot reveal at this time because [these are] subjects of follow-ups. Both are personal in nature,” he added.
In a separate interview with Teleradyo on Monday, Egco said investigators would also look into a possible political connection.
There was a plan for Dinoy to run as vice mayor but it did not push through, although Egco could not say if this was a primary motive.
“It’s too early to tell. But it’s one of the things we are looking at,” Egco said.
According to him, he was optimistic there would soon be a breakthrough in the case.
“Even if the motive seems to be a personal matter, the task force will see to it that justice will be served to those responsible for Dinoy’s death,” he said.
Caduaya, meanwhile, appealed to “anyone who can be of help in our quest for justice to coordinate with the [PNP], being the lawful authority to investigate the crime, as we demand justice for our fallen colleague. We believe that in a democratic society, freedom of the press must not be curtailed and such a dastardly act deserves the highest degree of condemnation.”
“As the world celebrates International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists, we ask the government and all its instrumentalities to be more transparent, not onion-skinned, as we believe that a free press uncovers the truth,” she said.
Dinoy will be buried on Saturday morning in Bansalan.
