Media group wants Cavite journalist’s slay solved in 40 days

CAMP VICENTE LIM, Laguna, Philippines – An official of the National Press Club (NPC) said yesterday they have given a 40-day deadline for the Cavite police to solve the killing of a tabloid reporter in Bacoor, Cavite early this month.

Paul Gutierrez, NPC press freedom committee vice chairman, said they gave the Task Force “Ruby” 40 days to solve the case of Rubylita Garcia, a reporter of Remate.

Gutierrez said the deadline started on April 6, the day Garcia was killed.

“If the Task Force fails to arrest and charge the killers within the deadline, the NPC will call on the National Bureau of Investigation to conduct a parallel probe on the case,” Gutierrez told The STAR.

He said Malacañang and NPC officials discussed the issue on media killings in the country,  particularly Garcia’s case, in a meeting on April 22.

Gutierrez refused to talk on the details of the meeting as he noted that the Palace is monitoring Garcia’s case.

He said Cavite police director Senior Superintendent Joselito Esquivel has briefed NPC officials on the development of the case in a meeting on April 23.

Esquivel, Gutierrez said, showed the sketches of two suspects to the three  witnesses, including a child of Garcia.

Gutierrez said the witnesses are currently under the custody of the NPC.            

He said they are helping them apply for the Witness Protection Program of the Department of Justice.