PNP orders ‘thorough probe’ into journalist’s death in Davao del Sur

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Sunday ordered a ‘thorough’ probe on the killing of reporter and radio anchor Orlando “Dondon” Dinoy.

According to the local police of Davao del Sur, Dinoy was gunned down at close range inside his rented apartment in Bansalan, Davao del Sur.

“Ipinapaabot ko ang taus-pusong pakikiramay sa mga naulila at kasamahan ni Orlando Dinoy at bilang aksyon ay inatasan ko na ang RD, PRO11 na tutukan ang kasong ito upang mapanagot kung sino man ang may gawa ng krimeng ito,” said PNP chief PGen. Guillermo Eleazar.

(I extend my heartfelt condolences to the family and colleagues of Orlando Dinoy, and as an action, I have instructed RD, PRO11 to focus on this case to hold whoever committed this crime accountable.)

“We will look into all the possible angles on this case and we are also asking the help of our kababayan to provide us with any information that could lead to the resolution of this case,” he added.

Eleazar also vowed to protect the media from any form of attack and harassment as he urged them to immediately report to authorities if they are under threat.

“Patuloy din na nakikipag-ugnayan ang inyong PNP sa Presidential Task Force on Media Security hindi lamang para sa kasong ito kundi pati na rin ang lahat ng kaso na may kaugnayan sa harassment at pagpaslang sa ating mga kasamahan sa media,” the PNP chief said.

(PNP also continues to liaise with the Presidential Task Force on Media Security not only for this case but also all cases related to harassment and murder of our media colleagues.)

“Bilang isang demokrasyang bansa, hindi katanggap-tanggap ang mga ganitong uri ng karahasan dahil maliwanag na ito ay pag-atake sa kalayaan sa pamamahayag na ginagarantiya sa ating Saligang Batas,” he added.

(As a democracy, these types of violence are unacceptable because they are clearly an attack on the freedom of the press guaranteed in our Constitution.)

The national government through the Presidential Task Force on Media Security Executive Director Undersecretary Joel Egco on Sunday also called on the police to conduct an investigation on the incident.

Meanwhile, the Philippines remains to be one of the deadliest countries for journalists in Committee to Protect Journalists’ latest Global Impunity Index when it comes to unsolved killings of journalists at 7th place.

Dinoy, who was also a former correspondent of the Philippine Daily Inquirer, worked for Newsline Philippines in Davao City and as a volunteer anchor for Energy FM in Digos City before his death.

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