PTFOMS seeks PNP help to probe reported threat to Surigao broadcaster

Screengrab from a Facebook post of NUJP

MANILA, Philippines — The Presidential Task Force on Media Security (PTFOMS) has asked the police to help investigate the case of a Surigao broadcaster Edito Mapayo, who was tagged as a drug lord protector by unknown perpetrators.

According to a post from the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines, graffiti writing of “Ed Mapayo drug protector” started showing up in different parts of Surigao City after the broadcaster criticized agents of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA).

PTFOMS Usec. Paul Gutierrez on Friday sent INQUIRER.net a letter written to Police Regional Office 13 Regional Director Brig. Gen. Kirby John Kraft, detailing the agency’s request to investigate the case.

“May we request for validation from your good office if there are really security threats to Mr. Mapayo and if there are basis for the allegation that he raised n his complaint,” said the PTFOMS in its letter.

INQUIRER.net has reached out to PDEA for a comment, but the agency said that it was still verifying the matter.