The Presidential Task Force on Media Security (PTFoMS) is now investigating the death of Jesus "Jess" Malabanan, according to Malacañang on Thursday, adding that it is condemning in the "strongest possible terms" the killing of the Pampanga-based journalist.
"We condole with the family, loved ones, and colleagues of Mr. Malabanan and assure them that the government will exert all efforts to ensure that those responsible are caught, charged, and convicted for this crime," said acting presidential spokesperson Karlo Nograles in a statement.
According to Nograles, a probe from the PTFoMS is now underway, and it is urging those with relevant information to come forward.
"The Presidential Task Force on Media Security is now looking into the incident and exploring all angles, including the possibility that the killing was related to his work as a journalist," said Nograles.
"It likewise urges everyone with information to come forward to authorities and cooperate with law enforcers in order to immediately bring Mr. Malabanan's killers to justice," he continued.
The official report submitted to the PTFoMS by the Calbayog Police Station revealed that Malabanan was shot in the head while watching television inside their store in Brgy. San Joaquin, Tinambacan District. He was rushed to a nearby hospital but was declared dead on arrival.
According to the report, a motorcycle "riding-in-tandem" gunmen were behind the killing. Initial verification by the PTFoMS also showed that the victim did not have any "known enemies" and "was not a hard-hitting journalist."
Executive Director Undersecretary Joel Sy Egco of the PTFoMS said the task force has already directed the Philippine National Police to investigate the case, with Egco to go to Samar to personally oversee the probe.
Egco, who said Malabanan was "a personal friend" of his, condemned the slay as a "cowardly killing" that "truly unforgivable" in the midst of the pandemic.
"We will get to the bottom of this and will stop at nothing in bringing to justice the perpetrators of this despicable crime," said Egco.
