Veteran photojournalist Recto Mercene dies

Veteran photojournalist Recto Mercene has died, his family confirmed on Sunday, October 3. He was 77.

The Mercene family confirmed his death in a post on his Facebook page.

According to an obituary of Mercene penned by Lourdes Fernandez, editor-in-chief of Mercene’s publication, BusinessMirror, he died on Saturday afternoon, October 2.

“The BusinessMirror reporter had been in hospital since September 7, and was being prepared for release from confinement so he can get palliative care at home after doctors detected cancer spreading in his bone marrow,” it said.

“On Saturday afternoon, however, he died peacefully in his sleep, according to youngest child Danica, who had been caring for him,” it added.

Mercene is best known for capturing the iconic photo of former senator Ninoy Aquino’s bullet-riddled body on the tarmac of the airport that was later named after the democracy icon. Mercene was then working for the Times Journal.

Mercene was an air traffic controller and a private pilot before he ventured into journalism. He covered primarily the aviation and Malacañang beats for the defunct TODAY and BusinessMirror, and also covered the defense, Senate, and foreign affairs beats.

Mercene is survived by children Danica and Jay, grandchildren Yumilka and Zach, and brother Dante. – Rappler.com