PTFoMS: 2 of 3 media killings in Negros Oriental resolved
2024-Jul-27 08:00
MEDIA SUMMIT. Undersecretary Paul Gutierrez, executive director of the Presidential Task Force on Media Security (2nd from left), takes questions from the floor during Friday's 2024 Visayas Media Summit in Dumaguete City (July 26, 2024). The summit, initiated by PTFoMS and the local government of Dumaguete City, was attended by 100 media practitioners and public information officers in Negros Oriental. (PNA/Mary Judaline Flores Partlow)
DUMAGUETE CITY – Two of three murder cases involving radio commentators in Negros Oriental have been resolved or considered closed, the Presidential Task Force on Media Security (PTFoMs) said Friday.
At the 2024 Visayas Media Summit, PTFoMS executive director Undersecretary Paul Gutierrez said the shooting of local broadcasters Edmund Sestoso and Cornelio Pepino were resolved already.
Gutierrez said the case of Dindo Generoso, a blocktimer of Bai Radio DYEM-FM, is pending but is expected to be resolved soon.
The three crimes took place in this capital city between 2018 and 2020.
During a press conference, lawyer Hue Jyro Go, PTFoMS chief of staff, said the case of Sestoso was closed when family members issued an affidavit of desistance.
"And because of the lack of witnesses, the prosecution could no longer pursue the case," Go said.
Sestoso was gunned down on April 30, 2018, while on his way home from his regular program at DYGB-Power 91 FM.
The PTFoMs officials said Sestoso's murder was not job-related.
Pepino, also known as Rex Cornelio, was fatally shot on May 5, 2020, while riding on a motorcycle with his wife after hosting his program on DYMD-Energy FM.
Go said the investigation showed that Cornelio's death was politically motivated.
"In the case of Rex (Cornelio), based on our investigation, one of the accused is already dead, thus the case is considered resolved since the deceased does not have a criminal liability," Go said.
Gutierrez said a deceased former politician was the principal suspect in the Cornelio case.
Meanwhile, Generoso's case is pending at a regional trial court here.
The PTFoMS said the killing of Generoso was political in nature. He was shot dead in November 2019 while on his way to the radio station. (PNA)