Slain Cavite journalist laid to rest as colleagues call for justice  

Amid calls for justice from her colleagues, Rubie Garcia, a journalist from Cavite who was shot in front of her son and granddaughter, was laid to rest Tuesday.

But before the interment, Garcia's remains were brought to Mendiola Bridge near Malacañang Palace where fellow journalists staged a program.

Garcia, 52, a reporter for Remate tabloid, was shot by three armed men at her house in Bacoor, Cavite, last Sunday. She was brought to a hospital but died later in the day.

National Press Club president and Remate publisher Benny Antiporda said they expect the Philippine National Police to solve the killing by next month or before the 40th day of Garcia's death.

“We believe that 40 days is more than enough time for the police to solve her case given its claim that it is ‘doing everything’ it can to do so and it is at the ‘top’ of their priorities,” he said.

“After that, the NPC, with the consent of Rubie’s family, would seek help from elsewhere, specifically, the assistance of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI),” he added.

Justice sought

Antiporda said his group “shall never stop until Rubie and other victims of violence against the media are given justice.”

Garcia is the 26th victim of media killing since President Benigno Aquino III took office, according to international group Human Rights Watch.

The group said based on their study, police have arrested suspects in only six of the 26 cases of media killings. Of these cases, the government has only secured convictions in two cases.

These two cases involved the killings of Palawan-based radio commentator and environmentalist Gerardo "Gerry" Ortega on January 24, 2011, and journalist Rowell Endrinal on February 11, 2004. Still, in those two cases, the masterminds remained at large, the group added.

If Garcia's killing will be found to be work-related, she would be the 160th journalist to be killed in the country since 1986, according to the National Union of Journalists in the Philippines.

Lead vs. killers

Asked by GMA News Online if they already have a lead on the killers of Garcia, Senior Supt. Joselito Esquivel, Jr, Cavite provincial director and head of the Special Investigation Task Force, said, “Yes, however (it is) being validated."

He did not give further details.

Tanza, Cavite police chief Supt. Conrado Villanueva has been relieved after being implicated in the killing of Garcia.

Villanueva's name was supposedly mentioned by the victim before she died.

A man was arrested in connection with the killing, but was released later after Garcia's son said he was not the gunman.

After the rally in Mendiola, Garcia's remains were brought back to Bacoor, Cavite, for a church service. She was interred at Eternal Memorial Park. — KBK, GMA News