NUJP Press Statement
May 16, 2006
Saksi Ngayon photojournalist killed in Caloocan City
It is with alarm and great concern to learn that another media practitioner has been shot and killed today.
The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines deplores this heinous crime.
We call on the authorities to get into the bottom of the ambush and killing of Albert Orsolino, a photojournalist with the tabloid Saksi Ngayon.
Unidentified gunmen killed Orsolino on Tuesday morning in Caloocan City.
If it is proven that the killing of Orsolino is related to his work as a journalist, the attack was also an attack on press freedom.
The NUJP notes that Orsolino’s murder was the 78th in our list of journalists killed since 1986 and the 41st since 2001.
We urged the Philippine National Police to immediately look into Orsolino’s killing and determine whether it was related to his work as a journalist.
The gunmen were onboard a Toyota FX Asian utility vehicle (WFR-245) when they blocked Delino’s path around 11 a.m.
Orsolino was driving a white Toyota Corolla (CRB-122) sedan near a gasoline station at the boundary of Caloocan’s Letre district and Malabon City along the C-4 Road.
The assailants opened fire at Orsolino, who sustained at least five gunshot wounds to his body. Police said the gunmen used .45-cal. pistols.
However, Orsolino apparently carried his own firearm and managed to shoot back, hitting one of the gunmen.
Authorities did not immediately provide details on the possible motive behind the ambush.
Orsolino is also a former president of the Camanava (Caloocan-Malabon-Navotas -Valenzuela) Press Corps.
Reference:
Jose Torres Jr.
Chairman, Commission for the Protection of Journalists
National Union of Journalists of the Philippines