Palace condemns killing of journalist in GenSan

Malacañang on Friday condemned the killing of a radio block-timer and local newspaper publisher in General Santos City in southern Philippines.

 

At a press briefing, presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said they expect the Philippine National Police to immediately apprehend the killers of Christopher Godera Guarin, the first journalist to be killed this year.

 

“We received word from the PNP (that) the case is now under investigation. The PNP has identified leads and they are in hot pursuit, we expect the PNP to hopefully apprehend the suspects. And again, we condemn the extrajudicial killing of another journalist,” Lacierda said.

 

Guarin, a block-timer with Radyo Mo Nationwide (RMN) and publisher of Tatak News, was killed by unidentified motorcycle-riding gunmen Thursday night.

 

The victim allegedly received death threats three days before the incident.

 

An initial police investigation showed Guarin, together with his wife and son, were on board a white Kia Pride (UTN 393) while on their way to Naval Subdivision in Barangay San Isidro when the incident happened. The attack happened at a crossing near Sunrise Subdivision.

 

Citing police information, Police Regional Director Chief Superintendent Benjardi Mantele said killers shot Guarin's vehicle at the passenger window.

 

Mantele said Guarin managed to stop and disembark from the vehicle and run towards Sunrise Subdivision, but he was shot again until he fell to the ground, around 12 meters away from the back of his vehicle.