Duterte, nagpaabot ng pakikiramay sa naulila ng pinaslang na journalist sa Maynila @DZMMTeleRadyo pic.twitter.com/q47LiM1ScM — Zhander Cayabyab (@zhandercayabyab) May 30, 2016

MANILA - President-elect Rodrigo Duterte is set to create a task force that will investigate the killings of journalists, according to Duterte transition team spokesperson Peter Laviña.

Laviña said Monday night that the president-elect sent him to the wake of Alex Balcoba, the crime beat reporter who was shot dead on Saturday.

According to Laviña, Duterte intends to create a task force that will investigate killings involving media men.

Lavinia: Duterte, may special task force at prosecutor para sa media killings @DZMMTeleRadyo pic.twitter.com/PJk3pkkPGi — Zhander Cayabyab (@zhandercayabyab) May 30, 2016

"Meron s'yang gagawing task force, iimbestigahan lahat ng media killings," Laviña said Monday.

He also said that the president-elect will appoint a special prosecutor who will focus on prosecuting those involved in journalist killings.

"Nagsabi rin siya na magtatalaga ng special prosecutor na iyun lang ang trabaho, halughugin ang trabaho ng media killings," he added.

Peter Laviña: Pahahalagahan ang press freedom sa Duterte Admin @DZMMTeleRadyo pic.twitter.com/IWFzUxQQ1B — Zhander Cayabyab (@zhandercayabyab) May 30, 2016

Laviña said the incoming Duterte administration will foster a safe environment for journalists.

"Under the incoming administration of President Duterte, mabibigyan ng respeto ang press freedom, ang kalayaan ng mga mamahayag na gawin ang kanilang trabaho na walang hadlang o pananakot," Laviña said.