The Philippine National Police’s (PNP) Special Investigation Task Group (SITG) on the fatal shooting of journalist Jesus Malabanan in Calbayog City, Samar on December 8, is looking into land dispute as motive.
PNP chief, Gen. Dionardo Carlos, on Monday said they already have a person of interest but are still determining on whether Malabanan’s job has something to do with the slay.
“I talked to the Regional Director, Brig. Gen. Rommel Cabagnot, and he updated me that actually, there is an ongoing case conference of SITG Malabanan as we speak. Initially, the angle they are looking at is a land dispute,” he told reporters during a press conference after Monday’s flag ceremony.
Carlos cited information from the victim’s family and colleagues who attested that they are not aware of any death threats that Malabanan received lately.
“This strengthens the possibility that the killing of Malabanan may have been be more personal than work-related,” Carlos said. “We are exerting more efforts to establish the motive, identify the perpetrators, and build a strong case leading to a successful prosecution.”
Malabanan, who turned 58 on September 20, was a correspondent for Manila Standard and Bandera, and contributor for international news organization, Reuters.
He was shot dead inside their store in Barangay San Joaquin, Tinambacan District at around 6 p.m.
Police reports showed Malabanan was watching television when his family heard gunshots.
Witnesses saw two motorcycle riders, one of whom was the gunman who aimed for the victim’s head.
Malabanan was declared dead on arrival at a hospital.
Source: Philippines News Agency
