Pampanga journo Jess Malabanan killed in Samar

A correspondent for the Manila Standard was killed in Calbayog City on Wednesday night.

Citing a report submitted by the Calbayog Police Station, the Presidential Task Force on Media Security said Jess Malabanan was shot in the head by motorcycle-riding gunmen at 6:30 p.m.

He was watching television inside his store in Barangay San Joaquin, in Tinambacan District when he was shot.

Malabanan, 58, was rushed to a hospital but was declared dead on arrival.

"This cowardly killing in the midst of a pandemic is truly unforgivable,"PTFoMs executive director Undersecretary Joel Sy Egco said.

"We will get to the bottom of this and will stop at nothing in bringing to justice the perpetrators of  this despicable crime,” he added.

The PNP is currently conducting “hot pursuit operation” to apprehend the suspects who fled the incident headed north bound towards the direction of San Isidro, Northern Samar. 

According to Police Lieutenant Nieto Rarugal, the San Isidro Municipal Police Station has also been alerted of the crime and were tasked to “conduct checkpoint for possible identity and arrest of the fleeing suspects.” 

Malabanan is the Standard's correspondent in Pampanga.

The PTFoMS said he was planning stay in Calbayog to focus on his farm business.

The task force said Malabanan had no known enemies and was not a "hard-hitting" journalist.

The PTFoMs, however, said Malabanan sought its assistance in 2017 and was promptly given police security detail.

The National Union of Journalists in the Philippines-Pampanga Chapter and the Pampanga Press Club have condemned the killing.

The PPC said Malabanan, "a longtime reporter and stringer for many media outfits for many years, had proven himself to be a man dedicated to his duties as a journalist."

"We call on the Philippine National Police and other authorities to help in the prompt investigation that would lead to the arresy of the perpetrators of this cowardly act in the interest of justice," the press club said in a statement. -NB, GMA News