SAN FABIAN – Obviously stung by speculations that some elements in the Arroyo government are behind the spate of assassination of journalists and left-wing activists that remain unsolved to date, the chief of the Philippine National Police categorically belied the suspicions.

In an interview with the local media, Director-General Arturo Lomibao said “there is no orchestrated effort against journalists or militants by government, or by PNP or whatever institution of government” even as he described the profile of majority of journalists killed.

Lomibao pointed out that most of the journalists killed were not full -time journalists employed by media establishments, and were mostly “block-timers”, a word to describe individuals who buy airtime from media establishments for their own independent public affairs programs.

He said he created Task Force Usig to investigate all the killings of journalists and political activists.

The Task Force, headed by Deputy Director Gen. Avelino Razon, deputy chief for operations, is assisted by Crime Laboratory, Criminal Investigation and Detection Group, Intelligence Group and local PNP stations in the investigation, gathering of evidence for the early resolution of the killings.

Lomibao called on the media “to be responsible in their information” and “to avoid speculating or jumping into conclusion in order not to veer away from what is true”.

He said there had been instances in the past where victims of killings were reported as members of the Left-wing groups when if fact they were not.

He said it is the erroneous reporting in media that led to speculations that the government is behind the “orchestrated” elimination of target members of media and left-leaning organizations.

“Tayo naman sa media, let us verify our information first. Let’s be more accurate so that people will know the truth. What is the truth, let’s publish that,” Lomibao said.

The PNP Chief said it’s up to the media practitioners to decide if they would want to arm themselves and apply for licenses. He said each application will be evaluated on its merit. – EVA

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