MANILA - Barely two months into the killing of veteran journalist Jesus "Jess" Malabanan, Undersecretary Joel Sy Egco, Executive Director of the Presidential Task Force on Media Security (PTFoMS), on Wednesday said a murder complaint has been formally filed by the Philippine National Police (PNP) against two suspects in connection with the crime. Egco said the PNP's Special Investigation Task Group (PNP-SITG) formed to thoroughly probe the murder of Malabanan has successfully completed its initial findings with the filing of a murder charge against suspects Aries Solomon and Jerry Trinidad, both of Tinambacan District, Calbayog City, before the Office of the Prosecutor of Calbayog and docketed under NPS No. VIII-10-INV-22B-00030. "I commend the men and women of the PNP who worked tirelessly in the investigation into the killing of my colleague and friend, Jess Malabanan. We are very grateful for your swift and thorough work in identifying the perpetrators of this hei
(Photo from PTFoMS Facebook page) MANILA - A month into the killing of veteran journalist Jess Malabanan, Undersecretary Joel Sy Egco, executive director of the Presidential Task Force on Media Security (PTFoMS), cites progress in the official investigation now being jointly conducted by the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI). "We have made significant gains in the probe into the killing of my dear friend and colleague, Jess Malabanan, with the identification of persons of interests, one of which was found to have strong connections with local politicians. I commend the investigators for conducting a thorough probe that will definitely lead to the arrest of the perpetrators and the mastermind behind the attack," Egco said in a news release. Egco made the announcement during a virtual conference on Friday to discuss updates on the case that was attended by various law enforcement agencies, including officials from Police Regional Of