Investigators turn to social media for clues to resolve Magsino murder

Screengrab from Facebook

Screengrab from Facebook

A Facebook account dedicated to the task force looking into the death of former Philippine Daily Inquirer correspondent Melinda “Mei” Magsino has been opened by the police as it continues to hunt down the journalist’s killer.

This as the police forms a special investigation task group to speed up the identification and conviction of the perpetrators behind the killing of Magsino in Barangay (village) Balagtas, Batangas City last Monday.

READ: Ex-PDI reporter shot dead in Batangas

The social media account, which was created on Thursday, with username “Task Force Magsino” has 31 friends as of posting time.

“Kung may nalalaman po kayong anumang impormasyon na makakatulong sa kaso ni Mei Magsino, maari po kayong makipag-ugnayan sa amin, mag-iwan po kayo ng pribadong mensahe sa aming (Facebook) or group account o magtext/tumawag 09062072776,” its recent post said.

(If you have any information which will help in the resolution of Mei Magsino’s case, you may contact us by leaving a private message in our Facebook or group account or text/call 09062072776.)

Senator Ralph Recto and Batangas district Representative Mark Llandro Mendoza offered to give P200,000 reward to anyone who can provide information that will lead to the arrest of the suspects.

READ: Recto offers reward for capture of ex-journalist’s killer

Magsino, 40, was shot by a lone gunman on Monday noon as she was walking on a street about 50 meters from her apartment.

A closed circuit television footage showed that the gunman, who wore a white “sando” (sleeveless top) approached Magsino from the back and shot her at close range in the head.

READ: NBI: Magsino killing, killer caught on CCTV

The assailant then escaped on a black and white Honda motorcycle driven by his cohort.

An outspoken critic of politicians in Batangas, Magsino had openly posted on social media her tirades against local government officials.

Investigators are now looking into Magsino’s Facebook posts in the days leading to her death. IDL

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