BusinessWorld ex-editor, brother shot dead in San Juan City

MANILA, Philippines (UPDATE 1 9:32 a.m.) — A former editor of the newspaper BusinessWorld and his brother were shot dead by unknown gunmen on Thursday night in San Juan City.

Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III expressed his shock over the death of Michael Marasigan, his communications consultant, and called on law enforcement authorities to "prosecute to the fullest extent of the law" the individuals behind the killing.

According to a social media post by the newspaper, Marasigan, a former editor, was dead on the spot while his brother, Christopher, was declared dead upon arrival at a hospital when their vehicle was fired upon in San Juan City at around 6:15 in the evening Thursday.

Michael Marasigan, former @bworldph editor, was dead on the spot. Brother Christopher pronounced dead on arrival at a hospital via @jdmcaro

— BusinessWorld (@bworldph) August 3, 2017

The two were riding Marasigan’s Mazda CXG when two armed assailants strafed the vehicle 34 times, according to the newspaper.

Two unknown armed men riding in a motorcycle shot ex-@bworldph editor Mike Marasigan's Mazda CX5 vehicle 34 times | via @jdmcaro

— BusinessWorld (@bworldph) August 3, 2017

Based on initial reports, Mr. Michael Marasigan died on the spot from 6 gun shots in the chest and 2 in the neck | via @jdmcaro

— BusinessWorld (@bworldph) August 3, 2017

It said that based on initial information, Marasigan was shot six times in the chest and twice in the neck.

Marasigan, a noted public relations person, was killed by the motorcycle-riding assailants near the junction of Barcelona and V. Cruz.

His brother was brought by emergency services to San Juan Medical Hospital where he was declared dead.

Dominguez also extended his condolences to the families of the Marasigan brothers. 

"I have known Mike for over 30 years," Dominguez said. "I and his peers held him in very high regard for his skills and thorough professionalism."

“Mike, who always had a kind word to everyone he meets, was a highly respected journalist and public relations man. As my communications consultant, he was always prompt, thorough and very good at what he did, which was to assist the DOF in relaying its key messages and programs to the public,” Dominguez said.