Journalist in Zamboanga City killed over land dispute — PNP

A broadcast journalist died in Zamboanga City after she was allegedly gunned down by her nephew over a land dispute, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said on Wednesday.

"Based sa report na binigay po sa atin ng Zamboanga City, a day before po nu'ng pagpatay po sa kanya, ay nagkaroon po sila ng pagtatalo po," PNP spokesperson Police Brigadier General Jean Fajardo said in a press briefing.

(Based on the report given to us by Zamboanga City, they had an argument a day before when she was killed.)

"Ang naging ugat po ay personal grudge po nitong suspect doon sa biktima. Tungkol daw po ito sa lupa," she added.

(The suspect had a personal grudge against the victim, supposedly regarding real property.)

According to Fajardo, the suspect has been arrested and was scheduled for inquest proceedings on Wednesday.

Based on GMA Regional TV's report, the radio broadcaster, identified as 56-year-old Maria Vilma Rodriguez, was shot dead in Barangay Tumaga, Zamboanga City on Tuesday evening.

Initial investigation showed that the victim was sitting outside her house with her mother, sister, and nephew when the suspect appeared suddenly and shot her three times.

Investigators recovered a slug believed to be from a .38-cal. firearm from the crime scene.

Not the first

In a statement, the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) said Rodriguez was a journalist for eMedia Productions.

Rodriguez was shot by motorcycle-riding individuals, the NUJP said, sustaining three gunshot wounds in her belly. She was declared dead at 9:37 p.m. at the Zamboanga City Medical Center.

As the NUJP condemned the attack, it said that Rodriguez was the second female journalist who was killed in the city since Gloria Martin in December 1992.

"We are urging the Zamboanga City Police Office to probe deeper into this, unmask the killers and their masterminds, and put them behind bars. We don't need a tale of another unsolved case that ended up as archives or statistics," the NUJP said.

Palace calls for probe

Meanwhile, Malacañang condemned Rodriguez's killing as it called on for a swift investigation into her murder.

"We condemn this barbaric attack on Ma. Vilma Rodriguez—a journalist, barangay official, mother to four children, and model Filipino. These kinds of vile and atrocious acts have no place in our nation, which values freedom, democracy, and the rule of law above all," the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) said in a statement.

"We call upon the authorities to conduct a swift and impartial probe into this atrocious incident.  No stone should be left unturned in the pursuit of those culpable," it added.

The PCO joins the bereaved family "in grieving this loss, and direct the concerned government agencies to provide the fullest support in this difficult time."

"We assure them, as well, of our commitment to pursuing truth and justice for Ms. Rodriguez," the PCO said. — with reports from Anna Felicia Bajo and Joahna Lei Casilao/ VDV, GMA Integrated News