DOJ forms special team to probe broadcaster’s killing

MANILA-- Department of Justice (DOJ) Secretary Menardo Guevarra on Friday said he has ordered a special investigation team to look into the killing last Wednesday of radio commentator Eduardo Dizon who was gunned down on the way home in Kidapawan City, Cotabato.

“As chair of the Presidential Task Force on Media Security (PTFoMS), I have given instructions for the creation of a special investigating team or SIT, which will surely include the NBI (National Bureau of Investigation) to conduct an inquiry into the killing of Eduardo Dizon and to file appropriate charges against the perpetrators,” Guevarra told newsmen.

Guevarra said the DOJ has formed similar SITs in extra-judicial killing cases against human rights advocates, labor leaders, among others.

These investigations on these are ongoing, he said.

“Our SITs are headed by prosecutors in the field who assist in case build-up, and they coordinate actively with local law enforcement agents including the NBI. For media killings, the presidential task force has an executive director, Joel Egco, who supervises all investigations directly,” he said.

Reports said gunmen on board a motorcycle shot and killed Dizon, a news anchor of 97.5 Brigada News FM Kidapawan while driving home around 10:35 p.m. to Tejada Subdivision after his radio program. He was the former manager of the radio station.

Authorities said the victim succumbed to five gunshot wounds.

Dizon ran for councilor but lost in the last election.