PRESS RELEASE
17 November 2008
TF 211 Condemns Latest Media Killing
The Task Force Against Political Violence, otherwise
known as Task Force 211, expressed its dismay over yet
another media killing.
Radio commentator Arecio Jandag Padrigao of Gingoog
Misamis Oriental was shot to death at about 7:00 in the
morning on Monday ( November 17, 2008 ) at the Don. R.
Baol Elementary School , Gingoog by two unidentified
gunmen riding a motorcycle in tandem. Padrigao, 51, was
a radio commentator of local station “Radyo Natin”.
“What is more deplorable is that Padrigao was killed in
the presence of his 6-year-old daughter right there in
her school where he dropped her off”, remarks
Undersecretary Ricardo Blancaflor, Chairman of Task
Force 211. Padrigao’s daughter, Areis, is a grade one
student at Don R. Baol Elementary School.
Initial reports from Task Force 211 reveals that
Padrigao was a hard-hitting radio commentator who was
vocal about his criticisms on the alleged corruption at
the City Administrator’s office. He was also a former
member of the New People’s Army, and is also engaged in
the logging business.
“While it is still premature to conclude that the victim
was killed for his media work, the Task Force
nonetheless condemns this senseless, violent act”,
Blancaflor said.
The Task Force 211 is coordinating with the family of
the victim. Per interview with Arcile (Padrigao’s eldest
daughter), TF 211 reports that prior to the incident,
the victim was already being surveillanced by
unidentified men. The family is looking into politics as
the possible motive for the killing.
Task Force 211 is calling on the friends and other
relatives of Padrigao to help with the gathering of
information to come up with leads. “If they don’t want
to call up government offices, they may call TF 211
directly at 5360456 or text 0927-4022709”, Blancaflor
said.
TF 211 and its member agencies were instrumental in the
early resolution of three media killings this year. The
cases of mediamen Dennis Cuesta, Martin Roxas, and Bert
Sison were resolved by the Task Force in an average of 9
and a half days.
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.
TF 211 invites the public to view its website,
taskforce211.com.ph, where the details and status of all
other extralegal and media killings and political
violence cases are declared.
Blancaflor invites the public to peruse these cases. “We
welcome the support of the media, civil society,
sectoral organizations, political groups, religious
sector, and practically anyone who cares to end
extra-legal killings and political violence in our
country”, he says.
Task Force 211 mobilizes various government agencies,
political groups, sectoral organizations, religious and
civil society, and the general public to pursue its
goals of prevention, investigation, prosecution and
punishment of extra legal killings and political
violence cases in the Philippines.
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