Broadcast journalist killed in Zamboanga del Sur

http://cnnphilippines.com/regional/2016/02/17/Broadcast-journalist-Elvis-Ordaniza-killed.html

By Jong Cadion, Pagadian City-based correspondent

Updated 10:36 AM PHT Wed, February 17, 2016

Pagadian City, Zamboanga del Sur (CNN Philippines) — Authorities are investigating the death of a radio reporter in his house in Pitogo, Zamboanga del Sur on Tuesday night (February 16).

The victim, Elvis Ordaniza, was the first journalist in the country to be murdered this year. He was from DXWO Power 99 FM of Times broadcasting network based in Pagadian City.

Police said the still unidentified gunman used a caliber .45 pistol.

The 49-year-old Ordaniza, a former rebel, had two gunshot wounds in his chest.

The victim was rushed immediately to the nearby hospital by the responding police operatives but was pronounced dead while on their way to the hospital on board the ambulance.

Senior Supt. Michael Mendoza Nicolas, Zamboanga del Sur Police Provincial Director, ordered a thorough investigation to determine the possible motive of the killing and the identification of the assailant for filing appropriate murder charges.

The Philippine National Police has formed Taskgroup Ordaniza to investigate the shooting incident.

The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines said Ordaniza has been reporting about the problem of illegal drugs and illegal gambling in the town.

NUJP record shows Ordnaniza was the 31^st journalist killed in Aquino administration and with a total of 171 journalists killed since 1986.