A Malacañang official said yesterday said that President Duterte has ordered the creation of a task force that will look into the killing of journalists in the country.
“Media violence and killing must end. The President has already ordered the creation of a task force on media killings,” said Presidential Communications Office Secretary Martin Andanar after another attempt on the life of a member of the media was reported in Bislig City, Surigao del Sur Thursday.
According to the Palace official, the PCO, together with the Office of the Executive Secretary, are now drafting an administrative order to define the parameters of the task force.
“We hope to submit it to the desk of the President before his State-of-the-Nation Address,” he added.
Andanar condemned the ambush attempt on radio broadcaster Apolinario Suan of Real FM.
“We condemn the recent ambush attempt on media man Apolinario Suan of Real FM, also an elected board member of Surigao del Sur,” Ansanar said.
Suan was on his way home after hosting a radio program when armed men fired at his vehicle, a Toyota Land Cruiser, on the national highway in Barangay San Vicente in Bislig City.
Suan, who was with his security escorts when the attacked occurred, sustained bullet wounds in his right forearm and right leg. He is now in stable condition.
One of his security escorts, Dodong Suan, was killed.
“I sympathize with the family of the victim and urge local police to speed up its investigation to bring the perpetrators to justice,” said Andanar. (Elena L. Aben)
