PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has signed his first administrative order creating a presidential task force on media killings, Malacañang said Thursday.
The task force will look into the violations of the right to life, liberty and security of the members of the press.
“The reason why the President wanted this administrative order is because he cares for you, for us,” Communications Secretary Martin Andanar told reporters.
“And he believes in the freedom of the press.”
Andanar said Duterte signed the order on Oct. 11.
The task force will be led by the Justice secretary and co-led by the Presidential Communications Office secretary.
The task force’s members will include the Interior secretary, Defense secretary, the solicitor general, the executive director of the presidential human rights committee and the heads of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Philippine National Police and the National Bureau of Investigation.
Andanar said the head of the Commission on Human Rights and the Ombudsman had been invited as observers and resource persons.