The Philippine National Police (PNP) said Friday, June 30, that a task force has been created to expedite the investigation on a shooting incident in Quezon City that injured a photojournalist and five others.
PNP Chief Gen. Benjamin Acorda Jr. (File photo)
PNP Chief Gen. Benjamin Acorda Jr. directed the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) and the Quezon City Police District (QCPD) to solve the attack on Joshua Abiad, 37, an online photographer for tabloid Remate, and identify the individuals responsible for the atrocious crime.
Abiad was shot by unidentified gunmen while he was traveling along Corumi corner Gazan Streets in Brgy. Masambong on Thursday, June 29. The incident also left five others hurt and they were identified as his brother Renato, 41; Jeffrey Cao, 47; and three minors with ages four, six, and eight.
“To ensure a thorough and efficient investigation, the Quezon City Police District created SITG Abiad, the Special Investigation Task Group which will meticulously gather evidence and testimonies. We are sparing no effort in our quest to gather substantial evidence and testimonies to shed light on this incident, ultimately leading to the immediate arrest of the perpetrators,” said Police Brig. Gen. Redrico Maranan, chief of PNP public information office.
Maranan, who also serves as the PNP focal person of the Presidential Task Force on Media Security (PTFoMS), noted that the PNP has been “actively collaborating” with the victim’s family and colleagues in Remate to acquire relevant information that could help in the investigation.
“We want to assure our media partners that the safety and security of those working in the media industry are of utmost importance to the PNP. In light of this unfortunate event, the PNP Media Vanguards will directly oversee the course of the investigation, ensuring transparency and accountability throughout the process,” Maranan added.
He urged those who could provide any information in solving the investigation to come to the PNP and cooperate with the authorities.
“The PNP stands firm in its commitment to justice and will relentlessly pursue the perpetrators responsible for this senseless act,” Maranan said.