Probers identify persons of interest

Pangasinan Journalist’s slay

VILLASIS, Pangasinan, Philippines — A special task force created to investigate the killing of a journalist in this town on Tuesday has identified several persons of interest in the incident.

The persons of interest were identified through footage of closed circuit television cameras near the scene where Virgilio Maganes, 62, a columnist for the Northern Watch, a newspaper based in Rosales town, and a commentator for dwPR in Dagupan City, was shot dead, Brig. Gen. Rodolfo Azurin Jr., Ilocos regional police director, said.

Maganes was shot as he was about to enter the compound of his home in Sitio Licsab, Barangay San Blas. Witnesses said the victim was shot at least six times.

Azurin gave assurance that the perpetrators would be brought to justice. He said solving the case is their priority.

Presidential Task Force on Media Security (PTFoMS) executive director Joel Sy Egco met with Azurin and local police officials at Maganes’ wake yesterday to discuss efforts for the swift resolution of the case.

Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra had earlier ordered the PTFoMS to conduct a parallel probe.

Meanwhile, the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster sa Pilipinas-Pangasinan chapter condemned the killing and joined calls for authorities to conduct a thorough investigation as well as to arrest the perpetrators. – Artemio Dumlao, Neil Jayson Servallos