Media Release: Philippines

July 4, 2013         

A publisher of a local newspaper in Pagasinan was injured after three unidentified men shot him Tuesday (July 2) morning.

The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) joins its affiliates from the Philippines such as National Union of Journalists of the Philippines in strongly condemning the actions of those responsible.

Pangasinan Provincial Police said Northern Star Publisher Jaime Aquino was reading a newspaper at a waiting shed in Barangay (village) Menien West, Santa Barbara town.

The publisher was on his way to Dagupan City and decided to do a stopover at the said village when the incident occurred.

At approximately 7:00am, one of the three gunmen opened fire. Aquino ran toward his car, parked near the waiting shed to get his gun but another gunman shot him in the back.

He was immediately rushed to Villaflor Hospital in Dagupan City for treatment.

Authorities said they have yet to identify if the motive behind Aquino’s killing is work-related, although two of the alleged gunmen, William Garcia and Jerry Aquino, were arrested Tuesday afternoon.

Aquino was reportedly accused, along with Pangasinan Gov. Amado Espino Jr. and Rep. Jesus Celeste, in the killing of Infanta town Mayor Ruperto Martinez in December 2012.

A colleague who works as a correspondent in the province told NUJP he is also facing libel charges for articles he previously wrote.

For further information contact IFJ Asia-Pacific on +612 9333 0950

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