Context Balcoba had been the second journalist to be killed in the Philippines in May 2016, and the 34th since 2010 when president Benigno Aquino III came to power. He is also the 174th journalist killed since a bloodless uprising ended the Ferdinand Marcos' dictatorship 30 years ago. Along with these, one of the world's deadliest attacks against journalists took place in the Philippines in 2009, when 32 journalists were among 58 people killed by a warlord clan that had the intent on stopping a rival's election challenge. It was reported that the killing of Balcoba happened one day after the Philippines Congress had officially dubbed Rodrigo Duterte the next president. The investigators were told that Balcoba was working on a current story when he was killed and has covered crime related stories since the 1990s, but the investigators are also looking for suspects who would target Balcoba's family business as well. Impact Balcoba was a veteran journalist who had covered the local crime and police beat since the 1990s. He was also known for being a reporter for the People's Brigada and officer of the Manila Police District Press Corporation. He helped to bring justice for police who experienced brutality and helped to expose criminals. After the attack on Balcoba, it helped to get the public's attention on the problem at hand and take a stand to protect future journalist and reporters. Reactions Mayor Rodrigo Duterte spoke out at a press conference after the killing of Alex Balcoba and made certain comments such as, "Most of you are clean, but do not ever say all journalists are clean," he said. "Just because you are a journalist, you are not exempt from assassination if you are a son of a bitch." As well as, "... Most of those killed, to be frank, have done something. You won't be killed if you don't do anything wrong." Some people were outraged by this. Reporter, Ryan Rosuaro spoke out against this and said, "It is appalling that President-elect Rodrigo Duterte should justify the murder of journalists in the country by playing the corruption card." Executive director of the center for international law, Romel Regalado Bagares, said, "Duterte's comments showed "a cynical attitude towards what is a serious concern to the international community" and could perpetuate impunity for the killers." International media monitor the Committee to Protect Journalists made a statement that wrote, "President-Elect