THE Police Regional Office (PRO) in Davao Region condemned in the highest form the killing of broadcaster and journalist Orlando "Dondon" Dinoy.
On Sunday morning, October 31, PRO-Davao released a photo of Dinoy accompanied by its statement of condemnation through its Facebook page.
“Police Regional Office 11 condemns in the highest form the killing perpetuated against media practitioner, Orlando ‘Dondon’ Dinoy. Killing of any form is not being tolerated in Davao Region, and PRO 11 vows to exert all its effort to identify and charge the perpetrator on the crime they committed,” PRO-Davao said in a statement.
Report from the Bansalan Municipal Police Station stated that around 6 p.m. Saturday, October 30, Dinoy was gunned down inside his rented apartment at Mother Ignacia Village, Barangay Poblacion Uno in Bansalan, Davao del Sur.
It was determined that the gunman used a .45 caliber pistol, which instantly killed Dinoy, who succumbed to multiple gunshot wounds in his body.
Neighbors said they heard six gunshots and upon checking, they saw Dinoy already slumped under the dining table.
According to a witness, the gunman immediately rode on a motorcycle whose driver was apparently waiting for him outside the apartment.
The gunman was described to be medium build, wearing a black cap, short pants, and t-shirt.
The Scene of the Crime Operatives (Soco) of the Provincial Crime Laboratory Office in Digos City recovered six empty shells, a bullet and another deformed bullet.
It was Dr. Earl Felix Vicente of the Centeno Medical Specialist Hospital who checked and declared the victim dead.
As of Sunday, October 31, Bansalan police said they are still facing a blank wall on the motive and identity of the gunman. But they said they could not discount the angle of personal grudge.
Newsline Philippines, through its CEO, Editha Caduaya, said they could not get an idea to start their investigation from as there were no hot issues tackled by Dinoy.
Caduaya said Dinoy only wrote developing stories regarding the activities and happenings in and around Davao del Sur and Davao Occidental, as well as police reports, adding he did not hit hard on heavy issues.
Meanwhile, the Presidential Task Force on Media Security (PTFoMS) is coordinating closely with the police to attain justice for Dinoy.
Undersecretary Joel Sy Egco, PTFoMS executive director, offered his condolences to the family of Dinoy, who was also a volunteer anchor of Energy FM in Digos City.
“The PTFoMS wishes to extend its deepest condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues of Dondon Dinoy. We are greatly saddened for your loss,” Ego said in a statement on Sunday, October 31, adding that Malacañang condemned the slay.
Egco has asked the local police to conduct a complete and thorough investigation on the incident.
“Even if the motive seems to be a personal matter, the task force will see to it that justice will be served to those responsible for Dinoy’s death,” Egco said.
The PTFoMS chief said he is in contact with Brigadier General Filmore Escobal, director of the PRO-Davao.
READ: PNP chief orders probe into Davao journalist killing
Caduaya, also the president of the Mindanao Independent Press Council, said she is not aware of any personal enemies of Dinoy.
Egco reminded media workers that “if anyone of you feel threatened in any way, the task force is here to help 24/7. We are just a phone call away and we will provide you with immediate security and protection if you feel you are in any danger.”
PTFoMS was created by President Rodrigo Duterte in 2016 with a mandate to safeguard press freedom and protect the life, liberty, and security of media workers.
The Philippines is believed to be the first to have created such a task force.
Dinoy became a Davao del Sur and Davao Occidental correspondent for Newsline Philippines after being a correspondent for Superbalita Davao for several years.
As of Sunday, October 31, Dinoy's remains are already with his family, while the Bansalan police are conducting a deeper investigation on the crime. (With PNA)