A REPORTER for a weekly crime and police tabloid was shot dead in Manila on MAY 27, the latest in a long list of unsolved murders of media workers in the country.
Alex Balcoba, 56, a reporter of People’s Brigada, was shot in the head by a lone gunman in front of a watch repair shop owned by his family in Quiapo.
Witnesses said the gunman walked towards his companion waiting on a motorcycle in front of a nearby hotel, then the two fled in the direction of Quiapo Church.
Fellow journalists took Balcoba to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.
Malacañang condemned the killing of Balcoba and assured the public the Philippine National Police is investigating the incident.
“First of all, we condole with the family of Alex Balcoba,” Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said.
The National Press Club (NPC) issued a statement condemning the attack.
NPC president Paul Gutierrez said the attack on Balcoba brought to more than 30 the number of journalists killed in the Philippines since 2010, with no suspects yet brought to justice.
Balcoba was an officer of Manila Police District Press Corps covering the police beat in Manila.
“The culture of impunity that is behind these attacks is yet to be addressed by the authorities despite their repeated boasts and promises,” Gutierrez added. (Philippine Star)