Journalist Jesus "Jess" Malabanan was shot dead in Samar on early evening of Wednesday, according to the Pampanga Press Club (PPC).
The PPC said in a statement that Malabanan, a correspondent for the Manila Standard Today, was killed "in the vicinity of their residence in Samar by unidentified gunmen.
It said that it is "condemning in the strongest terms the killing of one of its members."
"Jess to many among us, a long-time reporter and stringer for many media outfits for many years, had proven himself to be a man dedicated to his duties as a journalist," the PPC said in a statement.
"We call on the Philippine National Police and other authorities to help in the prompt investigation that would lead to the arrest of the perpetrators of this cowardly act in the interest of justice," it added.
The National Union of Journalists of Philippines (NUJP) Pampanga Chapter also said it condemns the "senseless killing" of Malabanan.
"NUJP Pampanga would also like to extend its sincerest condolences to the bereaved family. Justice for Jess!" it said in a statement.
Samar Rep. Edgar Sarmiento, meanwhile, said the people of Calbayog are "enraged with the assassination" of the veteran journalist.
Sarmiento said Malabanan's death should serve as a wakeup call to law enforcers on the continued proliferation of armed private individuals.
"This spate of violence in our city that has also claimed the life of our beloved Mayor Ronaldo Aquino should already serve as a wake-up call for our law enforcement authorities to take a deep and serious look at the continued proliferation of private armed groups and individuals who continue smear the good and peaceful nature of Calbayognons and the people of Samar," he said in a statement.
"I am calling on the PNP leadership to leave no stones unturned in the investigation of this cold-blooded murder of Malabanan, a Kapampangan who has embraced Calbayog as his home," he added.
Malabanan was a Pampanga-based journalist who is also a long-time stringer of Reuters. He helped the news outfit in the drug war stories that won a Pulitzer in 2018, according to fellow veteran journalist Manny Mogato.
