JUAN “Johnny” Dayang, 89, former mayor of Kalibo, Aklan, and a veteran journalist, was shot and killed inside his home on Tuesday evening.
The Presidential Task Force on Media Security (PTFOMS), under Executive Director Undersecretary Jose “Joe” Torres Jr., confirmed the tragic event in a statement.
Initial investigations suggest that a single assailant shot Dayang around 8 p.m. He was rushed to a hospital but declared dead on arrival.
The Philippine National Police (PNP) has launched an investigation to determine the motive behind the killing and identify the perpetrator, who escaped the scene.
The PTFOMS expressed its commitment to working closely with relevant agencies to ensure a swift resolution to the case. Undersecretary Torres offered condolences to Dayang’s family and expressed solidarity with the media community, highlighting Dayang’s significant contributions to Philippine journalism and democratic discourse.
Dayang, a respected figure in Philippine media, served as president emeritus of the Publishers Association of the Philippines, Inc. (PAPI). His long and distinguished career cemented his legacy as a pillar of Philippine journalism, and the PTFOMS emphasized that his commitment to truth and justice will continue to inspire future generations of journalists.
The killing has sent shockwaves through the media community and raised concerns about the safety of journalists in the Philippines.
