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1st LD Writethru: Philippine gov't condemns killing of journalist, vowing to go after attackers

Xinhua, May 28, 2016 Adjust font size:

The Philippine government condemned on Saturday the killing of a reporter in Manila and vowed to go after his attackers.

Police identified the victim as Alex Balcoba, 56, a reporter who writes for People's Brigada tabloid. He was gunned down at around 7:30 p.m. Friday in front of the family-owned watch repair shop in Manila's Quiapo suburb, police said.

Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. also extended condolences to the family of Balcoba.

"We condemn this crime and the Philippine National Police is now investigating this to determine and go after those possible responsible (in this incident)," he said in an interview over a state-run radio station.

Police said two gunmen who fatally shot Balcoba in the head with a pistol fled on a motorcycle after the shooting. He was rushed to a nearby hospital where he died later, police said.

Police have yet to determine the motive of the killing.

The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines condemned the cold-blooded killing of Balcoba, saying the victim is the 174th journalist slain in the line of duty since 1986 and the 34th under the watch of President Benigno Aquino.

"But whether or not Balcoba's murder is related to his work as a journalist, we demand that authorities act speedily to catch his killers and bring them to justice,"NUJP's chair Ryan Rosauro said in a statement.

"Our country has suffered too long from the impunity with which murder continues to be committed," he said. Endit