Zamboanga City, October 23, 2024 – A local journalist, Maria Vilma Rodriguez, 56, was shot and killed near her home in Barangay Tumaga, Zamboanga City, on the night of October 22, 2024. Rodriguez, a broadcaster for E-Media 105.9 News FM and former volunteer reporter, succumbed to three gunshot wounds.
According to initial reports from the Zamboanga City Police Office, a gunman entered Rodriguez’s residence and fired multiple shots. After the attack, Rodriguez managed to walk back to her home and inform her daughter that she had been shot. She was rushed to the Zamboanga City Medical Center but was declared dead upon arrival at 9:37 PM.
Rodriguez, a single mother of four, was a seasoned journalist, known for her show Barangay Affairs, which focused on community issues. Colleagues described her program as non-controversial, highlighting her extensive knowledge of local affairs, stemming from her role as a barangay secretary.
Reports indicate that Rodriguez had received death threats prior to the attack, allegedly linked to a personal dispute with relatives. A barangay hearing was held to address the conflict, but it remains unclear if this was the motive behind her murder. The police have identified some “persons of interest” in the case, though they have been quick to dismiss any connection between the killing and her work as a broadcaster.
The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) Zamboanga City Chapter condemned the killing and called for a thorough investigation, emphasizing that this should not become another unsolved case. The group expressed concern over the increasing violence against journalists in the country, urging authorities to bring justice for Rodriguez.
Rodriguez is the second female journalist killed in Zamboanga City since 1992, following the murder of Gloria Martin. She is also the fifth journalist killed under the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., highlighting the ongoing dangers faced by media practitioners in the Philippines.
As of now, the Presidential Task Force on Media Security has yet to release an official statement regarding the incident. The Philippines continues to face challenges in press freedom, ranking 134th out of 180 countries in the 2024 Press Freedom Index by Reporters Without Borders.
Authorities are continuing their investigation into the case, as the media community mourns the loss of another journalist.
