Marcos condemns killing of broadcaster in Misamis

BY JOCELYN MONTEMAYOR and VICTOR REYES

PRESIDENT Marcos Jr. yesterday condemned the killing of a radio broadcaster in Misamis Occidental yesterday morning and ordered the police to conduct a thorough investigation and swiftly bring the perpetrators to justice.

The President took to social media to condemn “in the strongest terms the murder” of Juan “Johny Walker” Jamalon, saying: “Attacks on journalists will not be tolerated in our democracy, and those who threaten the freedom of the press will face the full consequences of their actions.”

Jumalon, the station manager of Gold FM 94.7 radio, is the fourth journalist to be slain during the current administration.

Initial reports said Jamalon, while broadcasting from his home in Calamba, Misamis Occidental, was shot twice by a gunman who also grabbed his gold necklace before fleeing the scene.

He was declared dead on arrival at the Calamba District Hospital.

The Presidential Communications Office (PCO), on its Facebook page, condemned the killing and said the President and his administration extended their condolences to the family of Jamalon.

“You can be sure of our close monitoring of the case to ensure that his death will receive justice,” the PCO said.

Presidential Task Force on Media Security (PTFoMS) Executive Director Paul Gutierrez called on the Misamis Occidental Police to form a special investigation task group (SITG) to investigate the killing of Jamalon and bring the perpetrators to justice.

Gutierrez said the creation of the task group is among the agreed protocols among PTFoMS members during such incidents.

“Even as we extend our sympathy to the victim’s family and friends over this dastardly attack, we also call on the Misamis Occidental Police Office to immediately constitute its SITG to investigate this incident and apprehend the suspect and others possibly involved in the interest of justice,” he said.

He also called on the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to conduct its own probe and gather evidence in support of the PNP investigation to hasten the resolution of the case.

Gutierrez said while the motive for the killing has yet to be determined, it is considered work-related at the moment.

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