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 5:35am when the suspect –pretending to want to make an on-air announcement – was allowed entry into the radio station.
“I condemn in the strongest terms the murder of broadcaster Juan Jumalon. I have instructed the PNP to conduct a thorough investigation to swiftly bring the perpetrators to justice,” Marcos said in a post on Twitter.
“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,” he said.
In a statement, the DOJ said Jumalon’s death is a loss, not only to his family and loved ones, but “also to the journalism community and the nation as a whole.”
“We vow to spare no effort in ensuring a thorough investigation, the swift apprehension of the perpetrators, and their subsequent prosecution to the fullest extent of the law,” it said.