By Jil Danielle M. Caro

THE National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has been ordered to conduct a probe and case build-up regarding the murders of Michael D. Marasigan, a government consultant and former BusinessWorld editor, and his brother Christopher.

This was indicated in Department Order (DO) No. 515 signed by Justice Secretary Vitaliano N. Aguirre II and issued on Friday, a day after the victims were shot and killed inside their car on early Thursday evening by motorcycle-riding assailants in San Juan. Marasigan, a communications consultant for the Department of Finance (DoF), died on the spot after being shot six times in the chest and two in the neck. His brother, who was behind the wheel of their Mazda CX-5, was declared dead on arrival upon reaching a nearby hospital.

Police have no leads on the motive behind the killings, Eastern Police District Director Chief Supt. Romulo Sapitula said.

“So far, we are still unable to identify any motive. We are looking if it is work-related or personal. But based on the volume of fire, he is really the target,” Mr. Sapitula said, referring to the former BusinessWorld editor.

“It could be that his brother was just a collateral, or maybe he was also killed intentionally. But the concentrated target was Michael, as we examined the volley of fire,” he added.

Mr. Sapitula also said that they have already formed a core group to investigate the crime, named Task Force Marasigan.

Two witnesses appeared before the San Juan City Police Office on late night Thursday and narrated that they saw two armed men in motorcycle who killed the Marasigan siblings. The suspects remain unidentified as they were reported wearing helmets and rode on a motorcycle without a plate number.

Finance Secretary Carlos G. Dominguez III on Friday, expressed deep regrets over the death of the Marasigans.

“I am both saddened and shocked,” Mr. Dominguez said. “My deepest condolences go to the family of Mike and that of his brother, Christopher.”

“I and his peers held him in very high regard for his skills and thorough professionalism,” he also said.

Further, Mr. Dominguez called on law enforcement authorities “to find and prosecute to the fullest extent of the law the perpetrators behind the killing.

For its part, the Presidential Task Force on Media Security (PTFoMS) also said yesterday that it is “deeply saddened and strongly condemns, in no uncertain terms, the killing of Michael D. Marasigan, former editor of the BusinessWorld and his brother, Christopher.”

PTFoMS Executive Director USec. Joel M. Sy Egco said that he immediately spoke with Mr. Sapitula. He said that he was directed by Communications Secretary Martin M. Andanar “to leave no stone unturned in finding out who are the perpetrators behind this dastardly attack.”

“While it is yet to be confirmed if this incident falls under the mandate of the Task Force in relation to the Administrative Order No. 1 (AO1) of Pres. Rodrigo Roa Duterte in protecting the life, liberty and security of Media Workers, there is a possibility that the killing may be related to Marasigan’s previous work as a journalist,” Mr. Egco said.

Further, Mr. Egco assured that the Task Force “is committed in fulfilling its mandate to keep media workers free from any and all forms of threats and violence that may be carried out against them and their families.”

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