MANILA – The Department of Justice (DOJ) has formed a Special Investigation Team on New Cases (SITN) to investigate the killing of former Kalibo mayor and veteran journalist Juan “Johnny” Dayang.
In a statement on Tuesday, the DOJ said the SITN would be led by two prosecutors who will convene a multi-agency team composed of investigators from the Philippine National Police (PNP), the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), and other relevant agencies.
“In pursuit of its mandate to uphold the rule of law and protect members of the press, the Secretary of Justice has issued a Department Order designating two prosecutors to head the SITN. Their appointment is in accordance with Administrative Order No. 01, s. 2016, which authorizes the DOJ to coordinate with law enforcement agencies to ensure a thorough, impartial, and expeditious investigation of media-related killings,” the department said.
The assigned prosecutors will lead and supervise the fact-finding process, gather and secure evidence, and facilitate the filing of charges, as warranted by the findings.
The SITN is likewise directed to submit regular progress reports to the DOJ until the case is resolved.
Undersecretary Jose Torres Jr. of the Presidential Task Force on Media Security (PTFoMs) has been notified of this development and is closely coordinating with the prosecutors and law enforcement agencies conducting the investigation.
“The Department of Justice remains steadfast in its commitment to safeguard press freedom and ensure that acts of violence against media practitioners do not go unpunished,” the DOJ said.
Dayang, 89, was shot dead by an unidentified assailant inside his residence in Kalibo, Aklan at about 8 p.m. on April 29.
He was the chairman emeritus of the Publishers Association of the Philippines (PAPI) and founder of the Aklan Press Club. (PNA)
