Solons eye for independent body to probe media killings

By ALICE NICART, PIA Eastern Samar
January 7, 2012

BORONGAN CITY, Eastern Samar  –  Given the number of unresolved crimes against practicing media men and women in the country, some law-makers in the House of Representatives believe, it is high time to take a “firm resolve to end this impunity”.

According to Congressman Ben P. Evardone of Eastern Samar, he and some of his colleagues are proposing for an independent body to investigate media killings as they condemn the latest killing of another journalist in Mindanao.

“We are proposing that the Aquino government creates an independent crack team of investigators and prosecutors from the private sector that will investigate all cases of killings of journalists”, Evardone said.

He added that unless these crimes against journalists are not solved, the country cannot hope to end this carnage.

“Why the country is listed as one of the dangerous places for journalists, is because crimes against media men are not solved and since our law enforcement and prosecution are, so far, unable to solve these crimes, we believe that there is already a need to have an independent private-sector-led investigation and prosecution team”, the be-medaled former Eastern Samar governor further said.

Congressman Alvee Benitez of Negros Occidental likewise expressed his assent. “We can’t afford to be helpless in this crusade, and should our proposal be heard, we further propose that the independent private-sector-led investigation and prosecution team should be empowered and clothed with a vast authority to go after the perpetrators of theses crimes”, Cong. Benitez said.