Broadcaster’s slay: P100,000 reward up for info

MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang’s media security task force is offering P100,000 as reward for information that will lead to the arrest of those behind the murder of Misamis Occidental radioman Juan “Johnny Walker” Jumalon, who was shot while hosting his radio program at his home in Calamba on Nov. 5.

“In the wake of the senseless killing of (Jumalon) of 94.7 Calamba Gold FM in Misamis Occidental, a reward of P100,000 is promised to anyone who can step forward with information that will lead to the apprehension of the suspects,” the Presidential Task Force on Media Security said in a statement posted on Facebook on Nov. 6.

“The loss of (Jumalon) is not only a tragedy for those who knew him but a reminder of the perils that media workers face,” it added.

On Nov. 6, the Misamis Occidental Police Provincial Office released closed-circuit television footage and a computerized sketch of one of the three suspects.

The suspect is described as a 40-year-old male, approximately 5’6” tall with medium build and fair complexion.

The motive behind Jumalon’s murder has yet to be determined.

Jumalon is the fourth journalist killed since President Marcos assumed office in June last year, following Cris Bundoquin in Calapan, Oriental Mindoro on May 31; Percy Mabasa in Las Piñas on Oct. 3, 2022 and Renato Blanco in Mabinay, Negros Oriental on Sept. 18, 2022.

The Philippine National Police (PNP) vowed to swiftly solve the murder of Jumalon.

“We understand the profound grief and anguish that this loss has caused, and we stand in solidarity with the family throughout this difficult period,” PNP chief Gen. Benjamin Acorda Jr. said in a statement yesterday.

Acorda announced the formation of Special Investigation Task Group Johnny Walker.

The task force will conduct a comprehensive and prompt investigation to expedite a resolution to the case, the PNP said.