MBC Condemns Killing of Radio Anchor

The Manila Broadcasting Company (MBC) and its affiliate, Cebu Broadcasting Company (CBC), expressed their condemnation “in the strongest of terms” the brutal killing of one of its anchors and Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency 7 agent Jesus “Jessie” Tabanao.

“It is even ironic that Jessie was killed while Cebu is celebrating Broadcasters’ Month and a few hours before the opening of the Press Freedom Week. And even while investigators have yet to identify the motive of the killing and those behind it, MBC and CBC condemn the killing as another attack on the constitutionally guaranteed freedom of the press,” read the statement of MBC’s Atty. Rhina Seco.

Tabanao, a former member of Cebu media, was the program host of the weekend edition of Radyo Cebu’s “Police Line Up.” He also co-anchored anti-drugs advocacy program, “Drug Watch,” aired in the same station. He was gunned down along N. Escario Street at past 11p.m. Saturday while on his way to pick up his wife, Katrina, in I.T. Park, Barangay Lahug.

“As institutions that strongly advocate the protection of Constitutional rights, Manila Broadcasting Company and Cebu Broadcasting Company will pursue all possible legal actions to obtain justice and the conviction of those involved,” Seco added.

Meanwhile, MBC and CBC had also called upon the PNP for a speedy investigation on the case, “so that justice may be served.”