By: Thea Divina, Andrea Eleanor Cabaron
Juan Jumalon, seen in the photo, was brutally killed by an unknown assailant who entered his home studio. Photo courtesy of CDO Dev.com.
94.7 Gold Mega Calamba FM radio anchorman Juan “DJ Johnny Walker” Jumalon was shot dead by an unidentified suspect during a live broadcast inside the broadcaster’s in Calamba, Misamis Occidental.
Jumalon’s family was able to rush him to Calamba District Hospital but was confirmed dead on arrival by the duty physician.
Police Corporal Paul Guigayoma of the Calamba Municipal Police Station in Misamis Occidental said two gunmen arrived on foot around 5:35 am as DJ Johnny Walker was airing his program.
“Apparently they knew their way around because they open the iron gates and barged inside the radio station,” Guigayoma said.
One of the suspects barged into the studio inside Jumalon’s house while one acted as a lookout.
The police report indicated that the suspect went to Jumalon’s residence intending to have an important announcement aired on the said radio station, but drew his firearm and shot the radio anchor.
The assailant hit the journalist’s lip to the back portion of his head then fled after he grabbed Jumalon’s necklace.
While an investigation is ongoing, the police claimed to have already carried out a dragnet operation and put up checkpoints in case the suspect was apprehended.
The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) denounced Jumalon's tragic death. “The attack is even more condemnable since it happened at Jumalon's own home, which also served as the radio station,” according to the statement.
"Many community journalists have reported to us receiving threats from politicians and their supporters in the aftermath of their coverage of the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections last October 30," NUJP Mindanao Safety Office Chief Kath Cortez mentioned.
Jumalon's murder would be the 199th in the Philippines since 1986 if it turns out to be work-related and the fourth case under the Marcos regime.
The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) released a Global Impunity Index earlier this week ranking the Philippines eighth among countries with the worst records on prosecuting killers of journalists.
“The Philippines remains a dangerous place to work as a reporter especially for radio journalists,” CP said.
Government Demands Justice
In response to the latest barbaric attack against journalists, incumbent President Ferdinand “BongBong” Marcos Jr. publicly claims to denounce the killings of media individuals and orders justice with due police investigation.
"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," Marcos said in an online post.
Misamis Occidental Governor Henry Oaminal also urged Northern Mindanao police authorities to probe into the series of crimes and violations recently occurring within the province.
On top of the murder case, Oaminal said the province suffered two explosions and a gun attack on a public official, and an attempt on his life because of narco-politics.
The NUJP is set to light candles for justice as they clamor for the stop in killing journalists and the end of impunity at the Commission on Human Rights, Quezon City headquarters on November 5, Sunday, 6pm.