The Presidential Task Force on Media Security (PTFoMS) said on Wednesday that it is investigating the alleged death threat made by whistleblower Julie ‘Dondon’ Patidongan to a news reporter in relation to his coverage of the ‘missing sabungeros’ case.
PTFoMS said it has already reached out to News5 reporter Gary de Leon, who reported receiving death threats over his report of the case.
The incident was first brought to the attention of the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines, which has condemned the incident and warned that the issue underscores the continuing dangers faced by journalists in the Philippines.
Patidongan allegedly made the threat on October 27, when de Leon contacted him and his lawyers for a comment on a story he was preparing about the case.
According to PTFoMS, citing de Leon’s report, Patidongan accused the reporter of being ‘biased and paid,’ which de Leon has denied.
PTFoMS said it expects to receive further details of de Leon’s testimony once he formally submits his affidavit on the incident.