PTFoMS asks PNP to dig deeper on shooting of Laguna journo

MANILA – The Presidential Task Force on Media Security (PTFoMS) has requested the Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) and the Task Force Usig to look deeper into the shooting incident last July 15, 2024, in San Pablo City, Laguna that targeted a local reporter.

PTFoMS Executive Director Undersecretary Paul Gutierrez said they questioned the spot report of the San Pablo City chief of police, PLtCol. Wilhelmino Saldivar Jr., that downgraded the incident to a mere "threat and malicious mischief."

Gutierrez, citing initial reports received by the task force, said at least seven shots were fired at the victim, Marc Angelo Barrios, a reporter of Laguna Patrol, by two unidentified motorcycle-riding gunmen who managed to escape.

"And to classify this incident as a simple case of malicious mischief by the local police raises everyone's eyebrows," Gutierrez said, as quoted in a PTFoMS news release.

"Fortunately, Barrios was unhurt and only his motorcycle was damaged," he added.

In his letter to PBGen. Mathew Bacay, Director, Directorate for Investigation and Detection Management (DIDM), and CIDG chief P/MGen. Leo Francisco, Gutierrez noted that the local police also failed to identify Barrios as a member of the press but merely as an "office staff."

"As the government's official mechanism to address all violations on the right to life, liberty, and security of all members of the press, the 'discrepancies' we noted from the police report and the actual facts of the case as gathered, deserves deeper investigation and the suspects identified and arrested," Gutierrez said.

He added that they received information that a potential person of interest, a son of a barangay chairperson who has been previously linked to the local illegal drugs trade, has already been identified but is yet to be questioned by the police.

Based on the spot report of the incident forwarded to the PTFoMS by Saldivar, Barrios was on his way home to Barangay San Gregorio on board a motorcycle past 11:00 pm last July 15 when the two suspects riding in another motorcycle fired at him near the gate of a local subdivision. (PNA)