MANILA, Jan. 8 (Xinhua) -- The Philippine government condemned the killing of a female journalist in the northern province of Bataan on Thursday.

Authorities will make sure that justice will be served for the death of Nerlita Ledesma, 47, a tabloid reporter, said Herminio Coloma Jr., presidential communications operations office secretary.

"The PNP (Philippine National Police) is already going after the suspects," he said in a news briefing in Malacanang, the presidential palace.

Ledesma died on the spot after she was shot several bullets at close range by two motorcycle-riding killers Thursday morning.