PHILIPPINE National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. on Sunday ordered a thorough investigation into the death of a female vlogger in a gun attack in Caloocan City that also left her partner wounded early Friday morning.
Nartatez, in a statement, said he already tasked the Regional Director of the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) to ensure that all angles are looked into, including her active social media engagements.
‘Violence has no place in a society where freedom of expression is honored and respected. There may be differences in beliefs and opinion but we in the PNP commit to uphold and protect the right to express them-and this includes aggressively running after those responsible in this case,’ the PNP chief said.
Nartatez did not identify the slain female vlogger and her wounded live-in-partner but social media reports identified the fatality as Mima Alicia, who is reportedly associated with the United Vloggers and Influencers of the Philippines.
Alicia is known as a Marcos supporter and made Youtube contents criticizing Vice President Sara Duterte and other personalities allied with the family.
Based on the initial report, at least two motorcycle-riding men perpetrated the attack on the female victim in front of her house in Caloocan City on Friday morning.
Neighbors found the female vlogger and her partner after rushing out when they heard gunshots. They took them to the hospital.
Nartatez said he expects a comprehensive investigation into this incident, particularly the angle that the attack may have been triggered by her work as an active political vlogger.
He said he also tasked the Anti-Cybercrime Group to assist in the conduct of the investigation through extensive review of the social media posts and content posted by the victim in her social media platforms.
Nartatez said the NCRPO was also tasked to secure the victim’s partner who is still in the hospital.