Tabloid circulation manager shot dead in Mindanao

ZAMBOANGA CITY: An unidentified gunman shot dead a newspaper executive outside his office in an attack early Friday in General Santos City in the southern Philippines, police said.

The victim, Alfredo Velarde, 43, circulation manager of the daily tabloid Brigade News had just arrived from the
nearby Digos city by his vehicle at about 3:25 a.m. at Mahogany Street, Rosario village when he was attacked by one of two gunmen, said Supt. Resti Damaso, a regional police spokesman.

The gunman approached Velarde who was inside his car and shot him at close range, Damaso said, adding the victim took four bullet wounds and was declared dead on arrival by attending physicians at a hospital.

The assailant escaped on a motorcycle with another man after the shooting.

The motive of the attack is still unknown and no individual or group claimed responsibility for the murder.

Just recently, a radio broadcaster, Cosme Maestrado, of dxOC, survived a slay attempt in Ozamis City. Maestrado, who was in traveling in a vehicle, exchanged gunfire with two gunmen. 

The Philippines was once tagged as one of the most dangerous countries for journalists and the Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility said 79 were murdered during regime of President Gloria Arroyo and six more under the current presidency of Benigno Aquino 3rd, who was elected in 2010. -Manila Times

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