Former Inquirer correspondent operating a health clinic at time of death
Melinda “Mei” Magsino. PHOTO from Facebook account
BATANGAS CITY, Philippines — Melinda “Mei” Magsino, the former correspondent of the Philippine Daily Inquirer who was shot dead noontime Monday, was operating a health clinic in this city when she was killed by a motorcycle-riding gunman.
Superintendent Manuel Castillo, Batangas City police chief, said Magsino, a known critic of the late Batangas governor Armand Sanchez when she was still a journalist, was not known to be connected with any local media outfit in Batangas province at the time of her death.
Magsino, 41, was shot dead while walking along Purok 2, Barangay (village) Balagtas in this city at 12:10 p.m. She died on the spot from a gunshot wound on the head.
Castillo said Magsino had just left a house in Purok 2, which she was sharing with her boyfriend, when shot at close range by a gunman wearing only a “sando” (sleeveless shirt).
The gunman was the back rider of a black and white Honda motorcycle without license plate driven by another suspect, added Castillo.
He said the suspects fled the scene of crime but police recovered an empty shell from a .45-caliber from the crime scene.
Castillo said Magsino was being tailed by the suspects before she was shot.
Magsino and her boyfriend were known to be managing a health clinic in Batangas City that was also selling herbal products.
Castillo said that based on entries in Magsino’s social media accounts such as Facebook, she was “hitting several politicians below the belt.”
He described Magsino as having “many enemies” (madaming kaaway).
Castillo said they are also looking into love triangle or political motives in the killing.
He said Magsino is still married to her husband whom he did not identify.
According to Magsino’s friend and former classmate, who requested anonymity, Magsino seemed to have gathered many enemies because of the criticisms and tirades she wrote for her former local newspaper and posted on her Facebook account. DPL
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