Misamis Occidental radioman shot dead

COTABATO CITY, Philippines — A popular radio commentator died in a daring gun attack from an unknown assailant while hosting his radio program at his home in Calamba, Misamis Occidental, yesterday morning.

Juan “Johnny Walker” Jumalon, 57, died instantly from two gunshots to the face, the Calamba municipal police station reported to Brig. Gen. Ricardo Layug Jr., director of the Police Regional Office 10 in Cagayan de Oro City.

The incident was captured on a livestream video of Jumalon’s show.

President Marcos condemned the attack on Jumalon, who owned Gold FM 94.7, which is located at his residence in Barangay Don Bernardo Neri, Calamba, Misamis Occidental.

He was shot dead by a lone suspect whom Calamba police are still trying to identify.

According to police, the incident occurred at around 5:35 a.m. when the suspect –pretending to want to make an on-air announcement – was allowed entry into the radio station.

Video of the attack circulated in different Mindanao regions in less than an hour after the incident, and showed a man with a pistol approaching Jumalon, who was talking on air inside the broadcast booth.

The footage showed that the suspect immediately shot Jumalon in the head, grabbed his gold necklace and fled from the scene after making sure that the broadcaster was dead.

Family members and barangay emergency responders rushed Jumalon to the Calamba District Hospital, where he was declared dead on arrival by attending physician Geopeter Manisan.

Layug issued a statement condemning the killing of Jumalon, and said they are currently investigating to identify the suspect and his motive and have formed a special investigation task force focusing on the case.

“We extend our full support to the media community, and underscore the vital collaboration among law enforcement in the community and all the stakeholders, in ensuring the safety of all the media practitioners in the region,” he said.

Calamba police have conducted checkpoints and dragnet operations in an attempt to apprehend the suspect.

Marcos immediately ordered the police to thoroughly investigate the broadcaster’s death and bring those responsible to justice.

“I condemn in the strongest terms the