I am here to extend my personal condolences to the bereaved family of Bantay Radyo senior staff reporter George Benaojan, and to assess for myself the progress of the ongoing investigation of this case.

I would like to assure the Benoajan family and George’s colleagues in the Cebu tri-media that the PNP will act swiftly to render justice for his killing.

We are giving special attention to cases of violence involving members of media because it is a direct affront to press freedom and our democratic institutions.

More than anybody else, the PNP is most interested in seeing that such cases are solved and the perpetrators placed behind bars.

I have been informed by the Regional Director, Chief Superintendent Eduardo Gador, that a Task Force has been organized and dedicated to work for the early solution of this case.

I would like to reiterate that the PNP looks highly at media with high regard both as a vital link to the people, and as a formidable partner in our endeavor to pursue the mission of enforcing the law and maintaining peace and order.

Of the ten cases involving journalists this year including this case, we have solved eight of the preceding cases. I am confident that we will make a breakthrough on this in due time.