Task force formed to probe Misamis radioman's killing

MANILA, Philippines – The police have formed a special fact-finding body to look into Monday’s killing of radio announcer Ernesto Rollin in Misamis Occidental, according to Justice Undersecretary Ricardo Blancaflor. In a statement, Blancaflor said Task Force Rollin would spearhead the investigation to identify and arrest the suspects and determine the motive behind the killing. Blancaflor is the head of Task Force 211, the Justice Department’s task force against political violence and extrajudicial killings. “As of this moment, elements of the Task Force [Rollin] headed by [Superintendent] Leonilo Cabug are investigating the incident to determine the possible motive behind the killing of [Rollin]”, Blancaflor said. Rollin, a production manager and commentator at radio dxSY in Ozamiz City, was gunned down by unidentified armed men about 5:30 a.m. in Oroquieta City before reporting for work. He was hit in the head and arm. The statement said that Rollin was waiting for a public utility vehicle along the highway when one of the two unidentified men on board a black DT Yamaha motorcycle suddenly alighted and fired at him. Condemning the incident, Blancaflor said the ambush would not prevent them from intensifying their efforts against media killings. “We will not allow these criminal elements to continue to terrorize us. The full force of the law will be used to bring them to justice,” he said as he appealed to witnesses to help the authorities in their investigation. The information [witnesses] will give will be treated with utmost confidentiality,” Blancaflor said. - GMANews.TV