Journalist shot dead in “cowardly” killing in Philippines

MANILA, DEC 9 (REUTERS) - A Filipino journalist who formerly worked with Reuters has been killed in a drive-by shooting, authorities said on Thursday, one of more than a dozen journalists killed in the country in the past five years.

Jesus “Jess” Malabanan, 58, who worked with the Manila Standard, among other news media, was shot dead late on Wednesday by unknown gunmen while watching television at home in Calbayog in the province of Samar, police said. They said the motive for the attack was not immediately clear and that two gunmen fled the scene.

President Rodrigo Duterte’s spokesperson, Karlo Nograles, said Malabanan’s death was a “tragic murder” and urged witnesses to come forward.