21 cops tasked to probe media killings

The Presidential Task Force on Media Security yesterday tapped the services of 21 police officers in the investigation of murder cases involving journalists.

The policemen from the Philippine National Police Police Security Protection Group (SPG) will go around the country to get the status of media-related killings.

They are led by a police captain while the lowest ranked officer is a patrolman.

At least 170 media workers have been murdered across the country since 1986.

According to SPG director Brig. Gen. Filmore Escobal, the policemen are highly trained in investigative work as they were previously assigned to other units such as the Directorate for Records and Personnel Management.

Escobal said journalists who had been receiving threats should go through the normal process in applying for a security escort.