Journalist who survived 2016 attack shot dead in Pangasinan

November 10, 2020

A journalist who once survived an attack in 2016 was shot dead in Pangasinan on Tuesday morning.

Pangasinan police said  Virgilio Maganes, was about to enter into his residential compound at Barangay San Blas, Villasis around 6:45 am when two unidentified suspects onboard a motorcycle shot him six times.

Police said suspects fled towards the south.

According to the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP), Maganes is a member of NUJP and worked for North Watch newspaper.

NUJP said Maganes just turned 62 last November 7.

Last 2016, Maganes survived an attack by playing dead after motorcycle-riding gunmen shot him as he rode a tricycle.

“A sign was left near the scene that said, ‘Drug pusher huwag pamarisan (Drug pusher, do not emulate)’ in what was seen to be an attempt to divert attention from the real motive for the slay try,” the group said.

NUJP said Maganes is the 18th journalist killed during the Duterte administration and the 190th since 1986. Ella Dionisio/DMS