(UPDATE) Broadcast journalist shot dead in Bukidnon

DAVAO CITY, Philippines (Xinhua) - A broadcast journalist was shot dead by two unidentified gunmen in Bukidnon, local police said today.

Joas Dignos, a commentator for dxGT Radyo Abante was killed by motorcycle-riding gunmen along the national road in Valencia, a city in Mindanao's Bukidnon province after 9:30 p.m. Friday, Bukidnon provincial police chief Glenn dela Torre said.

The victim was standing near an establishment along the Sayre highway when two gunmen on a motorcycle stopped and one of them shot him several times, killing him instantly, according to the police chief.

The assailants then fled to an unknown direction. An investigation into the incident was now being conducted, he added.

The Philippines' National Union of Journalists said while authorities have yet to determine the motive of Dignos' killing, " if work-related, Dignos would be the 19th case of work-related media killing under the administration of President Benigno Aquino III."

Dela Torre said Dignos had been receiving threats in the past due to his alleged stinging commentaries against local influential personalities.

The Philippines has been tagged as one of the worst places for journalists in the world, with close to 200 media workers murdered since the restoration of democracy in 1986.

On Nov. 23, 2009, at least 32 journalists were among the 58 people killed in a massacre in Mindanao's Maguindanao province perpetrated by gunmen loyal to a powerful Moro clan in the region.