Bank manager and editor-in-chief of Isabela newspaper shot dead

MANILA, Philippines – A bank manager and editor-in-chief of a local newspaper was shot dead by motorcycle-riding suspects in Isabela Friday, police said.

Region 2 police director Chief Superintendent Rodrigo de Gracia identified the fatality as Johnson Pascual, who manages Fico bank in Maddela town in Quirino and EIC of Prime News, a local newspaper based in Santiago City.

After Pascual was shot, his Isuzu Crosswind (BCX-974) veered off the road and plunged down a ravine, De Gracia said.

The suspects, described to have been riding a black motorcycle without plates, fired at Pascual who was driving his along the national highway at Barangay (village) Rizaluna in Alicia town in Isabela at around 7:30 a.m.

Pascual was on his way to Cauayan City when the incident happened, said De Gracia.

Authorities are now hunting down the suspects, who were said to have fled towards Alicia town immediately after the attack.