Panel formed to probe Kidapawan radioman’s slay

MANILA, Philippines — Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra, who chairs the Presidential Task Force on Media Violence, has ordered the creation of a special team to investigate the killing of radio commentator Eduardo Dizon in Kidapawan City.

 Guevarra said the panel would be headed by a prosecutor, with agents of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) among its members.  

“We have formed similar teams in EJK (extrajudicial) cases against human rights advocates, labor leaders, etc. and these investigations are rolling,” he said. 

Dizon of Brigada News FM was shot as he was driving home in his Mitsubishi Mirage along Quezon Boulevard on Wednesday night.

KAPA critic

Prior to the incident, Dizon reportedly told police that he was receiving death threats, which he said could be due to his commentaries against an alleged investment scam of Kapa Community Ministry International Inc. led by its founder Joel Apolinario. 

“The Presidential Task Force on Media Security strongly denounces and is deeply saddened by the cowardly killing of... Dizon,” the task force said in a statement.

Joel Egco, task force executive director, said probers are closing in on several persons of interest.

”We are also investigating if it has a connection with the attack on another radio station in General Santos City. That station, according to reports reaching my office is also critical of money market schemes being checked by the government,” Egco said.

Unidentified men strafed the offices of Radyo Bombo in General Santos City more than two weeks ago.

President Duterte ordered the closure of KAPA offices for allegedly engaging in Ponzi-type scheme. KAPA officials had been charged with syndicated estafa and violation of the Securities Regulation Code.  – Christina Mendez, John Unson