Michael D. Marasigan, 60. From his Facebook page
Finance Secretary Carlos G. Dominguez III on Friday urged law enforcement authorities to swiftly catch the gunmen who killed his communications consultant Michael D. Marasigan, fondly known in the media industry by his nickname Mike, Thursday night.
“I am both saddened and shocked. My deepest condolences go to the family of Mike and that of his brother, Christopher,” Dominguez, who heads the Duterte administration’s economic team, said in a statement.
According to reports, Mike and Christopher were attacked by two gunmen riding in tandem in San Juan City, where they lived.
READ: Ex-Business World journalist, brother killed in San Juan City attack
Dominguez called on the police “to find and prosecute to the fullest extent of the law the perpetrators behind the killing.”
“I have known Mike for over 30 years. I and his peers held him in very high regard for his skills and thorough professionalism,” Dominguez said.
“Mike, who always had a kind word to everyone he meets, was a highly respected journalist and public relations (PR) man. As my communications consultant, he was always prompt, thorough and very good at what he did, which was to assist the Department of Finance (DOF) in relaying its key messages and programs to the public,” the Finance chief added.
Dominguez told reporters Friday that he already talked to three high-ranking police officials, including Eastern Police District Director Chief Superintendent Romulo Sapitula as well as two police generals, asking them to “please prioritize the investigation” on Marasigan’s case.
“I hope that they will report positive results in their investigation,” Dominguez said, adding that the police officials had already organized a team “to look more deeply into” Marasigan’s death.
As of noontime Friday, “there were still no leads” but the police were “working hard,” according to Dominguez.
Before becoming the DOF’s press and public relations aide, Marasigan was editor at Businessday and managing editor of BusinessWorld. He was also a former head of BusinessWorld Online.
According to the DOF, Marasigan also became an independent producer for the Living Asia channel as well as the creator of ourphilippines.tv.