(CMFR/IFEX) – On 18 May 2005, a Manila tabloid columnist survived a fourth assassination attempt after exchanging gunfire with two unidentified assailants in Valenzuela City, a suburb of the capital Manila. Pablo Hernandez, a columnist and provincial editor of “Bulgar” (“Expose”) tabloid, was on board a Toyota Corona with his driver George Macalla when he […]
(CMFR/IFEX) – On 18 May 2005, a Manila tabloid columnist survived a fourth assassination attempt after exchanging gunfire with two unidentified assailants in Valenzuela City, a suburb of the capital Manila.
Pablo Hernandez, a columnist and provincial editor of “Bulgar” (“Expose”) tabloid, was on board a Toyota Corona with his driver George Macalla when he noticed that they were being trailed by two men on a motorcycle. When Hernandez saw one of his attackers pull out a gun, he fired his gun at them. The attackers shot back while fleeing, hitting the hood and windshield of his car.
Philippine National Police (PNP) spokesperson Senior Superintendent Leopoldo Bataoil said the shooting took place at around 3:30 a.m. (local time) along San Gregorio Street in Barangay Gen. Tiburcio de Leon.
Police investigators have yet to establish the motive for the attack on Hernandez, who is authorised to carry a gun for self-protection. Valenzuela Police Chief Billy Beltran told PJR Reports that it is hard to determine if the latest assassination attempt on the columnist was related to his job since there is no evidence yet.
In a phone interview, Hernandez told PJR Reports that his column in “Bulgar” dealt with the incident. On 8 February, he survived a knife attack in a billiard hall in Quezon City. The hired killer, identified as Joel Reduca, implicated two police officers who paid him P20,000 (approx. US$365) to kill the columnist.
Hernandez believes the masterminds of the previous attack were the same police officers who were involved in the latest attack. Hernandez said he has been receiving threats through phone calls and mobile phone text messages (short messaging service) since he began writing his column for “Bulgar” in 1995.
