Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 30) — Besides the possibility that photojournalist Joshua Abiad was targeted due to the nature of his work, police said the shooting may also have been a case of mistaken identity.
“[Ang] kanyang bayaw isang malaking contractor na right now, embroiled in a conflict with some of his business partners. Pagkatapos, hindi naman kasi kanya ang sasakyan,” Quezon City Police (QCPD) Director PBGen. Nick Torre III said.
[Translate: Joshua’s brother-in-law is a big-time contractor, and right now, the brother-in-law is embroiled in a conflict with some of his business partners. Joshua also does not own the car.]
Abiad and three family members were injured in the attack Thursday afternoon in Quezon City.
The victims include Abiad’s brother, who was driving the SUV, and his four-year-old niece, who was hit in the head and is in critical condition.
A bystander was also hit by a stray bullet.
READ: Photojournalist, 3 family members injured in QC ambush
Police said they are looking at three suspects – two gunmen and a motorcycle rider who served as spotter.
They added that the license plate of the vehicle used by the assailants was fake.
In separate statements posted on Friday, media groups condemned the shooting.
“There is no justification for the shooting of a media worker,” the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines said.
“We urge the relevant authorities to investigate this case with the urgency, impartiality, and thoroughness it warrants. We implore those in power to redouble their efforts in ensuring the safety of journalists in the Philippines,” media group PAPER Ph said.
“We stand in solidarity with the media community as we struggle for press freedom, and call for justice for other journalists who are victims of harassment and violence,” the Photojournalists Center of the Philippines said.
CNN Philippines correspondent Crissy Dimatulac and multiplatform news writer Celine Serquiña contributed to this story.
