MANILA – The Presidential Task Force on Media Security (PTFoMS) said 75 of the roughly 200 media killing cases recorded since 1986 have been dismissed, closed, archived, or have no records.

“Bakit itong naging closed? Kasi dahil wala na po nag pu-pursue. Bakit hindi na na pu-pursue? Dahil siguro may mga dialogue or meron wala nang nagka-interest sa mga kaso,” PTFoMS Executive Director Undersecretary Jose Torres Jr. said.

(Why were the cases closed? Because no one is pursuing it anymore. Why is no one pursuing it? Maybe because there has been a dialogue, or no one is interested in the cases anymore.)

He added that even dismissed cases can be revisited if there is renewed interest.

“Subalit kung meron man, kahit ito man ay mga na-dismiss na kasi, binabalikan ito ng PTFoMs, NBI, at ng PNP para ma-investigate yung mga kaso na na-dismiss,” Torres said.

(If there are people who have an interest in it, despite being dismissed, the PTFoMS, National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), and Philippine National Police (PNP) will revisit and reopen the investigation.)

Of the 200 media killing cases, Torres said 75 resulted in convictions, 26 are under trial, and 24 remain under investigation. Data from PTFoMS also shows recorded media killings per presidential term as of January 2026:

• Corazon Aquino: 21
• Fidel Ramos: 11
• Joseph Estrada: 4
• Gloria Arroyo: 83
• Benigno Aquino III: 39
• Rodrigo Duterte: 34
• Ferdinand Marcos Jr.: 8

Torres made the announcement during a partnership signing with the NBI aimed at strengthening protection for media workers.

“Through this, the NBI will enhance its capacity to address cases involving media personnel with greater speed, sensitivity, and position,” NBI Director Lito Magno said.

“It [memorandum of agreement] strengthens our capacity for timely response, effective case buildup, and ensuring that crimes against journalists do not go unanswered,” Torres added.

The partnership also established NBI media defenders, a team tasked with handling media-related cases.

Protecting Frenchie Cumpio’s rights

The task force is also monitoring the welfare of community journalist and radio broadcaster Frenchie Cumpio, who was recently found guilty of terror financing and sentenced to up to 18 years in prison alongside her roommate Marielle Domequil.

Torres said PTFoMS ensures Cumpio’s rights, welfare, health, and security are maintained during her detention.

“We ensure that the rights, welfare, health, and security of Frenchie [are maintained] during her detention. We ensured that those who want to visit, even from the international community, were able to visit her,” he said.

“However, we decided we had to respect the decision of the court. We abide by the court’s decision,” he added.

The case has sparked protests at the Department of Justice, with groups calling for the release of Cumpio and Domequil.