Manila - A publisher and columnist of a small community newspaper was killed by a lone gunman in the Philippine capital, a police report said Tuesday.

Benefredo Acabal was walking along a busy street in metropolitan Manila's suburban Pasig City when a motorcycle gunman shot him at close range late Monday.

Acabal, publisher and columnist of Pilipino Newsman, was declared dead upon arrival at a nearby hospital due to multiple gunshot wounds.

He was the first journalist to be killed in the Philippines this year. Last year, four journalists were killed, while 13 were kiled in 2006.

Earlier in the week, a journalist from the western province of Palawan revealed receiving threatening messages shortly after writing about a mining company's moves to prevent President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo from declaring its mine site a part of a protected area.

Most of the previous killings and attacks against journalists have remained unresolved. (dpa)