A NEWS correspondent for Manila Standard was shot dead on Wednesday in Samar, his colleagues from a press association said, although the Philippine National Police is yet to officially confirm the killing.
The Pampanga Press Club ( PPC), citing initial reports that it received, said Jesus “Jess” Malabanan, 58, was shot dead by gunmen early evening on Wednesday in the vicinity of his residence in Samar.
Another report said the journalist, who was also writing for Bandera and Reuters, and had once written for BusinessMirror, was shot inside their store in Calbayog City. He reportedly sustained a gunshot wound in the head.
The PPC, where Malabanan was a member for many years, condemned his killing in a statement.
“The Pampanga Press Club condemns in the strongest terms the killing of one of its members Jesus “Jess” Malabanan, correspondent of Manila Standard,” the PPC said in its statement.
“Jess to many among us, a long-time reporter and stringer for many media outfits for many years, had proven himself to be a man dedicated to his duties as a journalist,” it added.
The Pampanga-based press group called on the PNP and other law enforcement groups to promptly investigate the reported killing and identify and arrest the perpetrators.