Suspect in ex-journalist’s slay identified, charged

CAMP VICENTE LIM, Laguna, Philippines – Police have identified and charged one of two suspects in the murder of former journalist Melinda “Mei” Magsino in Batangas City.

Edgardo Paredes, alias “Inject,” of Mabitac, Laguna was charged with murder on Thursday before the city prosecutor’s office, according to Senior Superintendent Arcadio Ronquillo, provincial police director.

Paredes was identified by a witness as one of two men who shot and killed Magsino in April last year.

“An eyewitness showed up before the Batangas police to shed light on Magsino’s murder. The witness has been in police custody,” Ronquillo told The STAR.

He said the police have yet to arrest Paredes and his companion, who remained unidentified.

Roquillo assured the Magsino family that they are doing their best to catch her killers.

A police tracker team has been formed to hunt Paredes, who is believed to be hiding either in Laguna or Batangas.

Ronquillo said they could not consider the Magsino case solved until the assailants are arrested.

He said investigators have yet to determine the motive for the killing.

Magsino, a former correspondent of a broadsheet, was shot dead by two motorcycle-riding men a few meters away from her house in Barangay Balagtas on April 13, 2015. She died from a gunshot to the head.