MURDER SUSPECT Manila Police district Public Information office Chief Marissa Bruno shows a cartographic sketch of the alleged suspect in the killing of journalist alex Balcoba. PhOTO by RENE h. DILAN
MURDER SUSPECT Manila Police district Public Information office Chief Marissa Bruno shows a cartographic sketch of the alleged suspect in the killing of journalist alex Balcoba. PhOTO by RENE h. DILAN

Police on Tuesday released an artist’s sketch of the suspect in the killing of a journalist in Quiapo, Manila on Friday.

The suspect was described as between 40 and 45 years old, 5-foot-2 in height, medium built, with pimples on his face, and was wearing a bull cap.

Manila Police District spokesman Supt. Marissa Bruno said the suspect was seen by three witnesses.

People’s Balita columnist Alex Balcoba, 55, was gunned down at 7:30 p.m. in front of his store along Quezon Avenue.

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Balcoba sustained one gunshot wound on his nape although police recovered two empty slugs of a .45 caliber pistol. He died instantly.

Earlier on Monday, the Manila Police District Press Corps had set aside P100,000 as reward money in exchange for any information that will lead to the arrest of the suspect. Balcoba is an officer of the press corps.

It was learned that Balcoba had a misunderstanding with a retired police officer which resulted in the filing of criminal charges before a Manila court.

Police are not disregarding all possible motives and have vowed to solve the crime as soon as possible.