MANILA, Philippines — Malacanang on Monday expressed condolences to the family and relatives of slain tabloid journalist Rubylita Garcia.
“We extend our condolences to the family of the late Rubylita Garcia and we promise that we will pursue this heinous death,” Presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said in a Palace media briefing.
Citing a report from Philippine National Police (PNP) spokesperson Theodore Sindac, Lacierda said that 52-year-old Garcia is a regular member of the National Press Club and a correspondent of Pilipino Times.
“Investigator on case was able to produce an artist’s sketch through statement of lone witness whose identity we will keep confidential,” Lacierda said reading Sindac’s text message.
“A dedicated tracker team was organized and conducting follow up operations against the suspect. The body of the victim presently lies at Labyan (funeral parlor) Barangay Maliksi, Bacoor City,” he added.
Garcia was killed in Bacoor City, Cavite province, Sunday morning.
The Philippine National Police in Cavite has already created a special investigation task group to look into the incident. The police are also looking into the allegations that the victim had mentioned the name of a police officer in Cavite that she was at odds with, while she was being brought to the hospital by her son.
According to the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP), if Garcia’s death is work-related, she will be the 160th killed since 1986. ( with a report from Philippine News Agency)