Filipino radio host fatally shot while livestreaming from home

Radio journalist Juan Jumalon aka DJ Johnny Walker was killed by a gunman in an attack that took place in his home-based studio on Sunday, November 5.

The 94.7 Gold Mega Calamba FM host was shot around 5:35am local time while he was livestreaming on Facebook.

As per local media reports referencing the police, the killer requested access to Jumalon's radio booth to announce "something important on air."

The gunman then shot the 57-year-old twice during the live broadcast in the town of Calamba in Misamis Occidental province. He was rushed to hospital by his wife but was pronounced dead on the way there.

Police also mention that the assailant grabbed Jumalon’s gold necklace before making a hasty escape with a waiting accomplice on a motorcycle outside.

Captain Diore Libre Ragonio, an officer-in-charge at the police station, revealed during a press briefing that three suspects have been identified by the police, who are also investigating potential motives of the attack.

The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) has condemned the brazen attack, even more so since it happened in the victim’s own home.

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President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has also strongly condemned the shooting and has issued orders for the national police to pursue, apprehend, and prosecute the assailants.

“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,” Marcos Jr. stated.

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Jumalon's death marks the fourth journalist killed since Marcos Jr. took office in June 2022, bringing the total to 199 journalists killed since the Philippines regained democracy in 1986.

This number count includes an incident in 2009 where 32 journalists lost their lives due to an attack in the southern Maguindanao province when members of a powerful political clan and their associates gunned down a total of 58 individuals.

Via: CNN & Reuters

Amira Waworuntu is Mixmag Asia’s Managing Editor, follow her on Instagram.