Misamis Occidental radioman shot dead in residence
2023-Nov-06 13:44
Juan Jumalon, also known as Johnny Walker, before the shooting incident that killed him in his residence in Calamba, Misamis Occidental on November 5. (Screen grab from Gold FM 94.7/Facebook)
A radio anchor was killed by an unidentified gunman at home while hosting his radio program on Sunday morning, November 5, in Barangay Don Bernardo Neri in Calamba, Misamis Occidental.
Juan "Johnny Walker" Jumalon, 57, was declared dead on arrival by attending physician Geopeter Manisan of Calamba District Hospital after succumbing from two gunshots to the face.
In an initial report from the Philippine National Police (PNP) in Camp Crame, the shooting incident occurred at 5:35 a.m., as captured during the livestream broadcast of Jumalon's show for 94.7 Calamba Gold FM.
Initial information also revealed that the assailant pretended to make an on-air announcement and was allowed to go inside the radio station.
The video then showed a man with a pistol approaching Jumalon before shooting him in the head. He then grabbed the radio broadcaster's gold necklace and fled from the scene after ensuring he was dead.
Brig. Gen. Ricardo Layug Jr., Police Regional Office 10 director in Cagayan de Oro City, condemned Jumalon's killing and said the authorities were currently investigating to identify the suspect and his motive.
"We extend our full support to the media community, and underscore the vital collaboration among law enforcement in the community and all the stakeholders, in ensuring the safety of all the media practitioners in the region," Layug Jr. said.
He added that a special investigation task force was also formed to focus on the case.
Checkpoints and dragnet operations are also conducted by the Calamba police in an attempt to nab the suspect.
Also condemning the brutality against the broadcaster, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ordered the PNP to conduct a thorough investigation into the incident, stating that attacks on journalists will not be tolerated.
"I condemn in the strongest terms the murder of broadcaster Juan Jumalon. I have instructed the PNP to conduct a thorough investigation to swiftly bring the perpetrators to justice." Marcos Jr. tweeted on his X account.
"Attacks on journalists will not be tolerated in our democracy, and those who threaten the freedom of the press will face the full consequences of their actions," he furthered.