CNN Philippines assistant cameraman gunned down in Cavite

Jonathan Oldan. FACEBOOK PHOTO

An assistant cameraman of CNN Philippines on his way to work was shot to death by still unidentified assailants in Imus City, Cavite province.

Initial reports from Cavite Police said 29-year-old Jonathan Oldan was shot several times in the head by still unidentified gunmen around 5:15 a.m Thursday.

READ: Woman reporter shot dead in Cavite | ‘Killing of journalists a nat’l catastrophe’

Senior Superintendent Jonnel Estomo, Cavite Police provincial director, said in a text message to the media that Oldan was killed along Bukaneg Street in Barangay (village) Pinagbuklod.

“After the incident, the suspect/s fled to unknown direction together with the weapon used,” Estomo said.

It is still unclear whether they fled on foot or on a vehicle after gunning down Oldan.

Estomo said police have interviewed bystanders near the crime scene to establish the identity of the gunmen.

Oldan was reportedly assigned to cover Department of Justice and Supreme Court beats.

Single dad

Colleagues of Oldan are groping for answers why he was murdered.

“He’s a single dad, working to support his toddler son,” said one of his colleagues who asked not to be identified.

As of the 11 a.m., the police were still investigating the crime scene and could not provide any more details.

If his case is work related, Oldan would be the third media worker killed this year, the 27th under the current administration, and the 167th since 1986, according to the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines. IDL