Human Rights Online Philippines

Malacañang open to forming crack team to probe killings of journalists
By Aurea Calica, The Philippine Star
January 08, 2012
 MANILA, Philippines – Malacañang said yesterday it was open to the formation of an independent crack team to deal with unexplained killings in light of the murder of Christopher Guarin, a radio commentator of RMN Broadcasting Inc. and publisher and editor-in-chief of the local tabloid Tatak in General Santos City.

This developed as press clubs in Central Mindanao urged President Aquino to raise a reward for the arrest of the killers of Guarin.

“We will discuss that suggestion of the crack team but the DILG (Department of the Interior and Local Government) and the PNP (Philippine National Police) are always on hand to act swiftly on these cases,” deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said over radio dzRB.

Valte said the police had acted on the earlier incidents of killings and filed cases.

“I think we can see as we have gone along that even for general crimes, the action is faster. The suspects are not just arrested but there are cases and litigation proceeds,” Valte said.

“This will not be treated any differently. The PNP is focused,” she said.

Valte said they would field the suggestion of coming up with a crack team to the President to get his thoughts on the matter.

Read full article @ www.philstar.com