Witness in journalist’s killing shot dead in Davao

DAVAO CITY – Unidentified men shot dead a key witness in the killing of Digos City journalist Nestor Bedolido while he was watching a billiards game here Thursday night, police said.

Ritchie Nacao Manapol, 34, who was under the Department of Justice’s Witness Protection Program, died from multiple gunshot wounds sustained after three men cornered him in the kitchen of a billiard hall at the intersection of Shrine Hills and McArthur Highway here around 7:15 p.m.

According to a report by the Matina police station, the gunmen missed Manapol initially right after they barged into the billiards shops owned by one Abe Palanca.

Manapol ran to the establishment’s kitchen, where he was followed and repeatedly shot by the gunmen. He died from wounds in the chest and chin.

The gunmen fled on a motorcycle.

Manapol’s death came more than four years after Bedolido was killed.

Bedolido, who wrote for the weekly tabloid Kastigador, was gunned down in Digos City on June 19, 2010.
RELATED STORIES

Suspected gunman in 2010 killing of reporter Nestor Bedolido arrested 
 
Gunman names Davao Sur governor, mayor as brains in journalists’ killing