The Quezon City government condemned the killing of a former journalist and tabloid executive in Barangay Apolonio Samson, vowing to give justice to the victim.
In a media statement Wednesday night, Mayor Joy Belmonte condoled with the family of Gwenn Salamida, who was gunned down on Tuesday at about 3:30 p.m. inside the Gott Beauty Salon and Spa, the business she opened just last month at the corner of Kaingin Road and Edsa.
Salamida’s companion, Oliver Perona, survived the attack and is being treated at a hospital.
She left behind daughters Thea and Tiara.
Belmonte said the city government will strictly monitor the case, initially tagged a robbery-homicide as the victims reportedly fought off their attacker.
Case investigator Staff Sgt. Jason Santoceldes said Salamida and Perona were cleaning the salon when the gunman barged in.
The attacker fled on a waiting motorcycle, according to witnesses.
“Ms. Salamida was a beloved member of the media, an honest business owner, and an upstanding QCitizen. We fervently condemn her brutal murder. On behalf of the Quezon City Government and the QCPD (QC Police District), we would like to assure the victims’ respective families that we will be applying the full power of the law to hunt down the perpetrator of this heinous crime, so that justice will be swift and immediate,” Belmonte said in her statement.
The QCPD-Criminal Investigation and Detection Unit has already concluded its initial investigation, Belmonte said.
Salamida, an advertising manager of tabloid Saksi Ngayon at the time of her death, was also a former editor of Remate daily.
She studied at the Lyceum of the Philippines and Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila.
The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines also extended its condolences in a Facebook post on Thursday.
Along with the National Press Club, the group condemned the murder and called for a swift resolution of the case.
Source: Philippines News Agency