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PRESS RELEASE
January 22, 2009
TF 211 Condemns Killing of Mediaman in Cotabato
Task Force 211 Chairman Undersecretary Ricardo
Blancaflor said the Task Force is condemning the killing
Wednesday night of Badrodin Abbas, a blocktime announcer
of DXCM Radyo Ukay in Cotabato City.
Abbas was shot dead at about 8:50pm on Wednesday while
he was driving his multicab to convey passengers. While
traversing along Sinsuat avenue corner Quezon Avenue in
Cotabato City, one of the passengers shot him, hitting
his lips, left mandible and right chest. Afterwhich, the
suspect alighted and was fetched by a motorcycle-riding
man. The two suspects fled the scene right away, and
Abbas was brought to the hospital but later succumbed to
death.
Initial investigation showed that the killing was not
mediawork-related and that it may be a case of ‘mistaken
identity”, as the original target was allegedly the
victim’s brother. It was learned that Abbas’ brother had
been receiving threats and was supposed to be driving
the multicab that Wednesday night.
Blancaflor, however, said that Task Force 211 is
nonetheless pursuing its investigation. Blancaflor
dispatched a team of investigators and forensic experts
to Cotabato City to look into the incident.
“It is lamentable that the year has hardly begun, yet
another journalist has been killed. This is outrageous.
We mobilized a team from the Task Force soon after we
heard of this condemnable incident.”, remarks Blancaflor.
Blancaflor enjoins the members of the media to be
vigilant and help end media killings in the Philippines
.
“Now is the good time as any to remind all media
practitioners to immediately inform Task Force 211 of
any threat, actual or perceived, in connection with
their work so we can act on them. This is a good
preventive measure.”, Blancaflor said.
He added that the media and public may call up TF 211
directly at 5360456 or text 0927-4022709, or the nearest
Philippine National Police station, or the National
Bureau of Investigation field office.
TF 211 also has a website, taskforce211.com.ph, where
the details and status of all other extralegal and media
killings and political violence cases are declared for
the public to view and comment.
TF 211 and its member agencies were instrumental in the
early resolution of four media killings cases last year.
The cases of mediamen Dennis Cuesta, Martin Roxas, Bert
Sison, and Arecio Padrigao were resolved by the Task
Force in an average of 9 and a half working days.
The Task Force thanks its member-agencies for their
cooperation and support in the campaign to stop
extralegal and media killings. Members of Task Force 211
include the DOJ, DND, DILG, ONSA, OPA, OPAPP, PHRC, and
PIA. Its attached agencies are AFP, NICA, PNP and NBI.### |
