By The newspaper
05 Nov 2023, 22:15 PM EST
In a tragic incident that has shocked the Philippines, radio host Juan Jumalon, popularly known as DJ Johnny Walker, was shot dead while hosting a live broadcast.
The devastating event took place inside his home studio and has since provoked strong condemnations and demands for justice, according to a BBC report.
President Marcos Jr reacted and expressed his condemnation of the assassination in the strongest terms. This unfortunate incident marks the fourth murder of a journalist since Marcos Jr took office in June 2022, according to the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines.
What makes this attack particularly reprehensible is that it occurred within the confines of Jumalon’s own home, which also served as the radio station where he built his career. The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines highlighted the seriousness of the situation and called for a thorough investigation into the incident.
The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) condemned the killing of radio broadcaster Juan Jumalon who was fatally shot during a live broadcast at his home in Calamba, Misamis Occidental on Sunday morning. pic.twitter.com/0QTDfoG8r2
— The Philippine Star (@PhilippineStar) November 5, 2023
The incident unfolded while Jumalon was livestreaming on Facebook at approximately 05:30 local time. During the broadcast, an unidentified suspect entered the recording booth, leading to a fatal confrontation.
According to local media, citing police sources, the suspect allegedly asked permission to enter Jumalon’s radio booth, stating that he had “something important to announce on the air.” The exact motive and identity of the attacker are still under investigation, and police have already obtained CCTV footage from the surrounding area to assist in the investigation.
Known for his broadcasts, usually broadcast on the 94.7 Gold Mega Calamba FM Facebook page with approximately 2,400 followers, DJ Johnny Walker was a respected figure in the radio industry.
After the shooting, Jumalon’s wife rushed him to the hospital. However, tragically, doctors pronounced him dead on arrival, marking the grim end of an illustrious career of his.
Notably, the police stated that they had no prior knowledge of any threat to Jumalon’s life, making this incident even more shocking and senseless.
President Marcos Jr stated that he had ordered the police to launch a thorough investigation to quickly bring the perpetrators to justice. This incident serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need to address the safety of journalists in the Philippines.
The United States-based organization Freedom House has listed the Philippines as one of the most dangerous places in the world for journalists.
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