6-11-2023 (MANILA) A radio broadcaster was fatally shot inside his studio on the southern island of Mindanao, adding to the alarming toll of journalists who have lost their lives in the country.
Juan Jumalon, aged 57, was inside his home-based radio station when a gunman entered and shot him in the head, according to Captain Deore Ragonio, the police chief in Calamba municipality in Misamis Occidental province. The assailant gained access to the studio by posing as someone with an on-air announcement to make, as stated in a police report.
After committing the act, the gunman managed to escape, leaving Juan Jumalon mortally wounded. He was subsequently pronounced dead at a local hospital.
This chilling incident marks the fourth assassination of a journalist since President Ferdinand Marcos assumed office in June 2022. The National Union of Journalists strongly condemned the brazen killing, underlining the dire situation journalists face in the Philippines.
The Philippines has gained notoriety as one of the most perilous places for journalists globally, with perpetrators often evading justice. Radio broadcasters, particularly those working outside the capital, frequently find themselves in the crosshairs of violence.
The head of the Presidential Task Force on Media Security decried the heinous attack and called for the establishment of a police task force to investigate the murder. Undersecretary Paul Gutierrez, in a statement, stated, “While the motive is yet to be determined, we consider this incident as ‘work-related’ for the moment.”
Gutierrez disclosed that the attack had been captured on video, depicting the suspect shooting the broadcaster twice and seizing his gold necklace before making a hasty exit. The video evidence adds a new dimension to the investigation into this tragic incident.
Inilabas ng Special Investigation Task Group (SITG) ng Philippine National Police (PNP) ang facial composite sketch ng isa sa mga suspek sa pagpatay sa mamamahayag na si Juan Jumalon o “Johnny Walker” sa Calamba, Misamis Occidental. #News5 | via Mon Gualvez pic.twitter.com/EcXhSJbhRw
— News5 (@News5PH) November 6, 2023
