PNP News Releases 2005

LOMIBAO FORMS TASK FORCE MORALES TO HUNT KILLERS OF MINDANAO BROADCASTER

Chief PNP, Director General Arturo C Lomibao visited today the wake of slain RMN-DWMD broadcaster Rolando Morales at the Christ the King Funeral Parlor in Polomolok, South Cotabato .

Morales was shot by motorcycle riding armed men along the national highway in Polomolok town, after his regular Sunday program at 4-5pm "Tingog sa Barangay".

CPNP Lomibao ordered PCSupt Danilo Mangila, the PNP Regional Director for Region 12 to organize Task Force "Morales" under PSSupt Rolando Dalangin ,the Deputy Regional Director for Operations.

The TF shall be composed of the PNP Regional Officers from the CIDG, Intelligence Group, Crime Laboratory and South Cotabato Provincial PNP with his guidance to arrest the suspects and file the case at the soonest possible time.

Helicopter flight from Davao to Polomolok was rough due to rain and bad weather condition, but the team managed to arrive safely.

The bereaved family of Morales expressed appreciation to CPNP Lomibao for his personal concern, assurance to render justice and burial assistance extended.

Lomibao also sought the cooperation of the local media and the witnesses who may be able to provide lead for the early solution of the crime.

Due to bad weather, the team postponed the helicopter flight back to Davao City . Instead, Lomibao decided to spend the eve of his birthday in South Cotabato .

With Lomibao were, Police Director Isidro Lapeña, PNP Director for Operations; CSupt Leopoldo Bataoil, PNP Spokesman; PSSupt Pedro Tango, Chief TF Newsman; and Chief Inspector Glen Silvio, the Aide-de-Camp to CPNP.

Before the Morales case, five journalists were slain during the year, but all cases were considered solved: Philip Agustin of Dingalan, Aurora- murder case filed last May 10 against three suspects; Klein Cantoneros of Dipolog City- murder case filed last May 4 against three suspects; Marlene Esperat of Tacurong, Sultan Kudarat- murder case filed last March 24 against six suspects; Romeo Sanchez of Baguio City- murder case filed last March 9 against three suspects; and Arnulfo Villanueva of Naic, Cavite- murder case filed last February 28 against seven suspects.

CPNP Lomibao committed to give his personal and special attention to every journalist victim of violence as he considers it an affront to press freedom and assault on our democratic institutions.