UNIDENTIFIED gunman killed a radio anchor while doing a live broadcast at his own residence in Calamba, Misamis Occidental on Sunday morning.
Juan Jumalon or Johnny Walker, 57, was at his home-based radio station in Barangay Don Bernardo A. Neri when he was shot at close range.
Jumalon was in the middle of his radio program on 94.7 Calamba Gold FM at 5.35am when shot at close range by the suspect.
The police report also indicated that the suspect went to Jumalon’s residence intending to have an important announcement aired on the said radio station but suddenly drew his firearm and shot the radio anchor, hitting his lower lip towards the back portion of his head.
The victim was rushed to the Calamba District Hospital by his family but was pronounced dead on arrival by the duty physician.
The family of the victim said they had no idea who the shooters were though local police believed the suspects were hired killers. The wife also said her husband had no enemies nor had he received any death threats.
Authorities are currently conducting an investigation to determine the identity of the suspect as well as the motive for the crime.
“As to motive, sir, may apat na anggulo na tinututukan ngayon,” said Calamba Municipal Police Station Officer-in-Charge Police Captain Diore Ragonio.
Checkpoints and a dragnet operation were also conducted for the possible apprehension of the perpetrator/s.
Meanwhile, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. condemned the killing and ordered the PNP to the crime and apprehend the perpetrator.
“Ang ganitong walang kabihasnang pag-atake sa ating mamamahayag ay walang lugar sa isang demokratikong bansa,” said Marcos.
Likewise, the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) on Sunday denounced Jumalon’s killing.
“The attack is even more condemnable since it happened at Jumalon’s own home, which also served as the radio station,” the NUJP said in a statement.
The union said Jumalon’s killing is the 199th since 1986 and the fourth under the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
“The killing also comes in the same week as the International Day to End Impunity For Crimes Against Journalists.,” it added.
