B-96
December 24, 2009, in Labason, Philippines

A gunman on a motorcycle shot Pasigna at around 6.30 a.m. in the town of Labason, Zamboanga del Norte province, Mindanao, according to local news reports.

Pasigna was on his way to work as an anchor for a government-funded broadcast, "South Express Balita" when the gunman fired at close range, the reports said. He died at the scene from multiple gunshot wounds.

Police and the local mayor said the killing was politically motivated and related to an approaching local election, news reports said.

Pasigna was a member of the Alliance Party for Progress.

The broadcaster's wife, Neneng, told the Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility that she believed the killing was related to discussions of political issues on the radio program. Pasigna had aired details of a controversy related to a certificate of candidacy in local elections, she told local journalists.

On January 18, 2010, a Labason court charged a suspect in connection with the murder. No motive was immediately disclosed.

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