Malacañang condemns killing of Abante reporter

Abante reporter Nerlita Ledesma (Facebook photo)

MANILA — The Palace has condemned the killing of a Bataan-based reporter of the daily tabloid Abante.

“Kinokondena at ikinalulungkot namin ang pagpaslang kaninang umaga kay Binibining (Nerlita) ‘Nerlie’ Ledesma ng pahayagang ‘Abante’ (We are saddened by and we condemn the murder of Ms. Nerlie Ledesma of newspaper ‘Abante’ this morning),” Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma, Jr. told reporters during a press briefing on Thursday.

Ledesma was waiting for a ride in Tuyo, Bataan on her way to work early Thursday morning, when a man riding a motorcycle shot her four times in the chest.

Coloma assured the victim’s family that the authorities are pursuing the assailant.

“Tinutugis na ng PNP ang mga pinaghihinalaang salarin at sila ay pinag-utusan na gawin ang nararapat upang panagutin ang mga nagsagawa ng krimen na ito (PNP is already in pursuit of the alleged suspects and they were ordered to do all appropriate action to bring those responsible for this crime into justice),” he said.

Ledesma is the 172nd journalist to be slain since democracy was restored in 1986.