P.1-M reward up for arrest of journalist’s killer

MANILA, Philippines - The Manila Police District and MPD Press Corps yesterday put up P100,000 as a reward for information that could lead to the killer of tabloid reporter Alex Balcoba.

MPD director Chief Superintendent Rolando Nana and MPD Press Corps president Francis Naguit each contributed P50,000. Nana said the informant will be given protection.

Senior Inspector Rommel Anicete, MPD homicide investigation chief, said the plate number of motorcycle (MC 2719) used by the gunman was traced to a resident of Davao, but the plate could be fake.

Balcoba, 56, a reporter of People’s Brigada, was shot dead in front of his watch repair shop on Quezon Boulevard in Manila at around 7 p.m. Friday.

An insider told The STAR that investigators are “zeroing in on a retired Manila policeman who had been at odds with Balcoba since 2010.”