NBI probes reporter’s slay

MANILA, Philippines – The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) is conducting a parallel probe on the killing of a reporter for a weekly tabloid in Quiapo, Manila Friday night.

An official of the NBI-Death Investigation Division, who refused to be named, said they have talked to the family of Alex Balcoba, 56, a reporter of People’s Brigada.

The NBI official said they have conducted an ocular inspection of the crime scene.

Balcoba was shot by a lone gunman in front of his watch repair shop along Quezon Boulevard at around 7 p.m.

Manila Police District (MPD) director Chief Superintendent Rolando Nana earlier formed Task Force Balcoba to speed up the investigation of the case.

The task force is headed by Senior Superintendent Marcelino Pedroso.

MPD homicide investigator Senior Police Officer 2 Richard Escarlan said they would coordinate with the Land Transportation Office to identify the owner of the motorcycle (MC-2719) used by the gunman.

Police did not rule out the possibility that the killing of Balcoba could be related to his job as a journalist.

Balcoba, a director of the MPD press corps, was killed with a gunshot wound to the head. 

Business angle

Prior to the killing, a source said Balcoba was told to remove his shop in Quiapo to give way to the construction of a building in the area.

“In fact, he had only until Friday to vacate the area,” the source said.

Reports said Balcoba had a spat with the barangay chairman in the area.

The source added that the victim also had an argument with a police colonel two years ago.