Batangas City mayor denies involvement in Mei Magsino's murder 

The mayor of Batangas City on Thursday denied involvement in the killing of former Philippine Daily Inquirer correspondent Melinda "Mei" Magsino, whom he had allegedly threatened two years ago.

 

Mayor Eduardo Dimacuha and his family, in a statement, said they condemn Magsino's killing and that they had any involvement in the murder.

 

The journalist was shot dead in broad daylight on Monday.

 

"The Dimacuha Family categorically denies any participation or involvement in the act," the statement read.

 

The family added: "The murder of [Mei] Magsino cannot be justified from any point of view... Her killing has no place in our society and we categorically condemn any and all acts of violence."

 

 

The Dimacuhas' statement came out after the PDI published a report quoting a friend of Magsino, who said the former correspondent wrote of a threat on May 6, 2013.

 

In her message, Magsino said, "May order na nga daw sina Eddie Dimacuha at brother nyang si Palos to kill Nomer Macalalad and me. Ang patong sa ulo ko eh P200K at P500K kay Nomer."

 

"Palos" is a local nickname for the mayor's brother, Ruben, while Macalalad is a former Batangas provincial information officer, the PDI report said.

"We have always dealt with critics and criticisms with due and proper regard to the Bill of Rights," the Dimacuhas said.

Bauan town councilor denies online harassment

 

Earlier, a municipal councilor whom Magsino had accused of harassing her on the Internet a day before she was killed denied the allegation.

 

In a report aired on GMA News TV's “News To Go” on Thursday, GMA News' Hadji Rieta quoted Bauan town councilor Kelvin Gimeno as saying that he did not know Magsino, a former correspondent for the Philippine Daily Inquirer, personally.

 

The report said Gimeno was shocked when Magsino accused her of harassment on Facebook, and was bothered further when she was shot in broad daylight last Monday.

He also denied any involvement in Magsino's killing. — Rose-An Jessica Dioquino/JDS, GMA News