olumnist found shot dead

New York, March 2, 2005—A local newspaper columnist was found shot dead on a road in the town of Naic, Cavite Province, just south of Manila. A local village official found the body of Arnulfo Villanueva, 43, a columnist for the community paper Asian Star Express Balita, on the night of February 28, according to the Manila-based Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility (CMFR).

Villanueva has criticized local officials in connection with illegal gambling, according to CMFR, but police have not yet determined a motive. The Committee to Protect Journalists is also investigating whether the killing was tied to his journalistic work.