MANILA, Philippines - Vice President Jejomar Binay yesterday condemned the killing of Vergel Bico, a publisher of the Kalahi newspaper in Calapan City, Oriental Mindoro.
The Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility said Bico, 41, was the seventh journalist to be killed this year.
Bico was shot dead by two motorcycle-riding men last Wednesday in Barangay Pachoca.
“I condemn his death in the strongest possible terms and share in the grief of his family,†Binay said.
The Vice President asked the Philippine National Police (PNP) to immediately resolve Bico’s killing and prosecute the perpetrators.
He ordered his staff to keep him updated on the developments in the investigation of Bico’s death.
“Freedom of the press is inherent in our Constitution and is a symbol of our democracy. The safety of our media practitioners should be a national concern,†Binay said.