Killing of CNN Philippines cameraman baffles colleagues

SAN PEDRO CITY, Laguna, Philippines — Colleagues of CNN Philippines cameraman Jonathan Oldan are still groping for answers why he was shot dead in Imus City, Cavite early on thursday.

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

The colleague said they did not know of anyone who might have a motive in killing Oldan, who also doubled as driver for the cable news network.

Oldan, 29, was killed around 5:15 a.m. in Barangay (village) Pinagbuklod in Imus City, according to Senior Superintendent Supt. Jonnel Estolano, the Cavite police director, in a text message.

Initial police reports said Oldan was shot several times in the head by an unknown assailant.

Superintendent Redrico Maranan, the police chief of Imus, said Oldan had just left his home and was on his way to Manila to report for work when he was killed. Around midday Thursday, the police were still investigating the crime scene and could not provide any more details.

The gunman escaped.

If 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.