DOJ OKs new special investigation team for Kidapawan broadcaster’s slay

MANILA, Philippines — Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla has greenlighted the formation of a new Special Investigation Team (SIT) tasked to handle the case of Kidapawan City broadcaster Eduardo Dizon, who was gunned down last July 10, 2019, according to Presidential Task Force on Media Security (PTFoMS). 

 PTFoMS executive director Undersecretary Paul Gutierrez made the announcement on Thursday after receiving the approval of Remulla, who is also the chairperson of the task force as per Administrative Order 1, series of 2016. 

 “After careful consideration and as Chairperson of the PTFoMS, I hereby approve the immediate creation of an AO1 SIT ED DIZON,” Remulla said in his memorandum sent to Gutierrez. 

Gutierrez disclosed that they requested the formation of the SIT after the task force learned that one of the suspects in the case — Sotero ‘Jun’ Jacolbe was granted bail and eventually was acquitted by a Davao Regional Trial Court last March 8. 

He added that alleged mastermind, Dante Encarnacion Tabusares, also known as “Bong Encarnacion,” was likewise granted temporary freedom after a local court allowed him to post bail worth P500,000 last March 11, a week after he turned himself in before the Davao authorities. 

The PTFoMS said Malolos City Prosecutor Aldrin Evangelista — who also previously handled the prosecution of suspects in the Ampatuan Massacre — will head the team. 

Gutierrez said the first SITG formed by authorities in 2019 was able to identify three suspects — Encarnacion, Jacolbe, and a gunman identified as Junell Jane Andagkit Poten, who remains at large. 

Citing Remulla’s directive, the PTFoMS said SIT was required to provide them with development of the case and “submit its report and recommendations within 30 days.”