The Presidential Task Force on Media Security (PTFoMS) will look into the killing last Dec. 8 of journalist Jesus “Jess” Malabanan in Calbayog City in Samar.
Secretary Menardo I. Guevarra, co-chairman of PTFoMS, said on Thursday, Dec. 9: “I will direct the PTFoMS to look into this violent incident ASAP (as soon as possible). If it’s work-related, we’ll do a parallel investigation.”
At the time of his death, Malabanan was a correspondent for the Manila Standard, Bandera, and Reuters.
Police reports stated that he was gunned down at around 6:30 pm while watching television in his store in Calbayog City. Two unidentified assailants were believed involved in the killing.
The same reports stated that Malabanan was brought to St. Camillus Hospital in Calbayog City but was declared dead on arrival by the attending physician.