Court issues arrest warrant vs suspect in journo’s murder
THE Calbayog City Regional Trial Court has issued an arrest warrant against the suspect in the killing of veteran journalist Jesus “Jess” Malabanan, Undersecretary Joel Sy Egco, Executive Director of the Presidential Task Force on Media Security (PTFoMS), announced on Tuesday.
In a statement, Egco disclosed that Judge Cicero Lampasa of Branch 32 issued the warrant after the City Prosecutor’s Office found “probable cause” to indict a suspect from Tinambacan District for murder.
“Even with the looming change in administration, our government remains steadfast in its commitment to bring justice to all victims of media violence. We commend the men and women of the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the National Prosecution Office who worked tirelessly in investigating the killing of my colleague and friend, Jess Malabanan,” Egco said in a statement.
“As long as I am able, I will see to it that Jess’s killers are put behind bars. The issuance of the warrant of arrest is a clear warning to all would-be perpetrators of media violence that your days are numbered as the whole might of this task force under the Office of the President will bear upon you,” Egco added.
Earlier, the PTFoMS declared Malabanan’s murder was not related to his work based on witnesses’ evidence and sworn affidavits.
Unidentified motorcycle-riding gunmen shot and killed Malabanan, 58, a Manila Standard and Reuters news correspondent.
Initial police investigation showed that Malabanan was shot in the head at 6:30 p.m. last December 8, 2021.
He was reportedly watching television inside his store in Bgy. San Joaquin, Catbalogan, Samar in Tinambacan District when the suspects shot him.
Malabanan was rushed to a nearby hospital but was declared dead on arrival.
The slain journalist was based in Angeles City, Pampanga, but planned to stay for good in Samar to focus on his farming business.
