Aguirre to NBI: Probe killing of ex-journalist

Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II on Friday ordered the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to investigate the killing of former journalist Michael D. Marasigan and his brother Christopher.

Department Order No. 515, signed by Aguirre yesterday, directs NBI Director Dante Gierran to conduct an investigation and case build-up on the incident.

Professional hitmen on a motorcycle shot dead Marasigan and his brother inside their car at past 6 p.m. Thursday in San Juan City, Metro Manila.

Marasigan, a former editor of BusinessWorld, died on the spot from multiple gunshots to his chest and neck while Christopher was declared dead on arrival at a hospital.

The attack on Marasigan shocked colleagues in the media.

In a statement, the Economic Journalists Association of the Philippines (EJAP) condemned the senseless killing of Marasigan and urged the police to "leave no stones unturned and follow all the leads even if they end up on the doorsteps of the powerful and mighty."

"Their violent murders aren't just signs of the times but an indictment of the security situation in the country. If a person who has left his comfort zone to help the government through non-controversial work with the Department of Finance (DOF) could be killed so brazenly, how could anyone feel safe?" the group stated.

Marasigan pioneered digital journalism as BusinessWorld's first online editor.

He was also a former independent video producer at Living Asia Channel and creator of Ourphilippines.tv. He worked as a public relations professional after leaving the newspaper business.