NPC calls for ‘immediate resolution’ on slay of freelance journalist

Adam Moraleta. Photo from his Facebook account

MANILA, Philippines — The National Press Club of the Philippines (NPC) on Sunday called for the ‘immediate resolution’ of the death of a freelance account executive and journalist who was shot dead in Quezon City.

Account executive Adam Moraleta, who is a member of the NPC, was gunned down by still unidentified men riding a motorcycle along Marcelino Street in Barangay (village) Holy Spirit on June 6.

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“The National Press Club of the Philippines is condemning the murder of yet another of its active member, Mr. Adam Moraleta, who was shot thrice and died on the spot last June 6, 2019, near his house in Barangay (village) Holy Spirit, Quezon City,” the NPC said in a statement.

According to NPC, Moraleta went outside their residence to buy something at the store when the suspects approached him and shot him at close range.

“As he was not carrying anything to identify him, his family thought he had gone ‘missing’ while the police initially reported the shooting to death of an ‘unidentified male person.’ His family the next day found him at a local morgue,” the NPC said.

The NPC said Moraleta is their third member to be killed over the last five years, citing Rubylita ‘Ruby’ Garcia and Joaquin ‘Jun’ Briones who were also gunned down in 2014 and 2017, respectively.

“Compared to Garcia and Briones who earned the ire of local personalities as a result of their job as journalists, NPC colleagues know that as ‘account executive’ for various media entities, Moraleta’s main focus is about the ‘good news’,” the NPC said.

“Thus, his killing comes both as a shock and a surprise for its seeming lack of compelling reason,” the NPC added.

Due to this, NPC called for the Presidential Task Force on Media Security (PTFoMS) to solve the case and urged possible witnesses to step forward to help in the resolution of Moraleta’s death.

“Whatever is the motive behind his killing, the NPC is calling on the authorities, specifically, the Presidential Task Force on Media Security, for the immediate resolution of Moraleta’s case. We also call on those who have critical information to step forward,” The NPC said.

“Everybody’s help and cooperation is needed if this senseless act of violence in the ranks of the Philippine media is to stop,” it added.

The case is still under investigation as per the Quezon City Police District.  (Editor: Julie Espinosa)