Philippines condemns murder of journalist

The Philippine government condemned Tuesday the killing of a journalist in northern province of Batangas on Monday.

Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. described Melinda Magsino, 40, who was shot dead while walking on the street in a broad daylight in Balagtas village, Batangas City, as a crusading journalist.

"Task Force Usig of the Philippine National Police is coordinating intensive police operations to pursue her assailants and bring the perpetrators before the bar of justice," he said.

Magsino, a former correspondent of broadsheet Philippine Daily Inquirer, was the 32nd journalist murdered in the country under the Aquino government and the 173rd since the restoration of the Philippine democracy in 1986.

She wrote several articles in the past against those allegedly involved in the illegal numbers game in the province. Endi