MANILA: A newspaper reporter covering Philippine President Benigno Aquino is in a critical condition after a shooting incident in a Manila suburb, police and journalist groups said on Monday.

Fernan Angeles, who works the presidential beat for local broadsheet the Daily Tribune, was shot late on Sunday near his home in a suburb of the Philippine capital, a police spokesman said.

“The violent attack was the result of a melee or brawl that erupted in Fernan Angeles’ neighbourhood,” Chief Superintendent Agrimero Cruz said.

Cruz did not name any suspect, nor say whether the incident was related to Angeles’ job as a journalist.

“Before he lost consciousness as he was being rushed to the hospital, Fernan said he knew his attacker and that he was afraid because... someone influential was behind it,” the group said, quoting the reporter’s wife.—AFP