Radio commentator shot dead in Iligan

ILIGAN, Philippines - A popular radio commentator known for being critical of alleged corruption and rising crime in a southern Philippine city has been killed by a gunman, police said Friday.

Fernando Solijon of DXLS Love Radio was shot multiple times late Thursday as he was about to board his car after having drinks with colleagues at a friend's house, said Iligan City police chief Crestito Rey Gonzalodo.

The gunman fled aboard a motorcycle driven by another man, Gonzalodo said. Solijon, 48, died on the way to a hospital.

The National Union of Journalists in the Philippines said Solijon would be the 159th journalist killed in the country since the fall of dictator Ferdinand Marcos in 1986 if investigations reveal the attack was related to his job. The group says most of the slayings are unsolved.

Solijon's wife, Melly, said he has received numerous telephone and text message threats.

Gonzalodo described Solijon as a "fearless radio commentator" and said the motive for the attack may have been political. He did not elaborate.

Radio station manager Rudy Catubay said Solijon has worked for the station for seven years, and described the killing as "work-related."

The journalists' union said in a statement that Solijon had criticized local politicians on his program, including linking a village chief to illegal drugs.