As reported by the Philippines-based Manila Times, a tragic incident unfolded when a radio broadcaster lost his life within the confines of his studio. This unfortunate incident took place while viewers were engaged in a live stream of his program via Facebook.

The victim, identified as Juan Jumalon, a 57-year-old news anchor at Calamba Gold FM 94.7, was subjected to a fatal attack. The assailant entered Jumalon's residence located in Calamba town within the Misamis Occidental province, where the shooting occurred, leading to the broadcaster's untimely demise.

"Johnny Walker," a moniker for Juan Jumalon, had established the radio station within his own residence. Tragically, the assailant fired a single shot at Jumalon, striking him in the lower lip and exiting through the back of his head, as detailed in the report by the Manila Times.

After the assault, immediate efforts were made to transport the broadcaster to Calamba Hospital; however, upon arrival, he was pronounced dead. Additionally, the Calamba Police has called upon the Misamis Occidental Provincial Forensic Unit to conduct a ballistics test, aimed at identifying the weapon used in the tragic incident.

BGen. Ricardo Layug, who is currently serving as the acting regional director of the Police Regional Office, stated, "We are diligently conducting a comprehensive investigation to determine the individuals responsible for this heinous act and ensure they face legal consequences. A Special Investigation Task Group (SITG) will be established to lead and coordinate the investigative endeavors, expediting the resolution of the case."

Meanwhile, the Manila Times reported that Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has strongly denounced the tragic killing of the radio broadcaster.

“This kind of uncivilized attack on our journalists has no place in a democratic country. Our President has tasked the Philippine National Police to conduct a thorough investigation to capture and hold accountable whoever is behind this gruesome crime,” the Presidential Communication Office said in a statement in Filipino.

Additionally, Executive Director Paul Gutierrez of the Presidential Task Force on Media Security (PTFoMS) has urged the formation of a dedicated investigative team to look into Jumalon's tragic killing. He expressed his condolences to the victim's family and friends, condemning the heinous nature of the attack.

“While the motive is yet to be determined, we consider this incident work-related for the moment,” Gutierrez added.

“We also call on our colleagues in the media and the public not to resort to any speculation or make baseless accusations that can only distract our investigators on the true motive for the attack on Jumalon. Instead, we call on them to provide relevant and factual information that can hasten the resolution of this incident,” he further said.

The Philippines is considered one of the most dangerous places for journalists, particularly radio broadcasters. The country ranks eighth in the CPJ 2023 Global Impunity Index, where journalist murders often go unsolved. Jumalon is the second radio commentator in Mindanao killed during a broadcast.

Image source: ANI