The Presidential Task Force on Media Security on Tuesday expressed alarm over reports that investigators tasked to resolve the recent killing of Dumaguete City-based radio anchor Cornelio “Rex” Pepino are being subjected to serious threats and intimidation by some unscrupulous individuals in Negros Oriental.
According to PTFoMS Executive Director Undersecretary Joel Sy Egco, his office has been receiving regular updates from both the Philippine National Police and the National Bureau of Investigation regarding the ongoing investigation, including reports of obstruction by some local officials and the recent harassment on agents of the bureau.
“We were informed that NBI agents who are onto the case are being surveilled and are facing grave threats. We commend both the PNP and the NBI for their efforts in unmasking the perpetrators and mastermind in the brutal killing of Mr. Pepino. We are also in close contact with the victim’s family and colleagues in the media. We cannot be cowed by anyone or anything into abandoning this probe. As I have said before, we will follow where the evidence leads us,” the PTFoMS chief said.
According to local media reports, three NBI agents experienced serious threats separately following the investigation of Pepino’s murder. NBI Special Investigator III Nicanor Ernesto Tagle reported that last June
1, while he was jogging around in his neighborhood, unidentified persons on board a motorcycle (riding in tandem) followed him and pulled a gun on him. Tagle showed to media the video footage of the attempt on his life that was captured on CCTV.
