A shocking incident occurred in the southern Philippines when a radio anchor was brutally shot in his studio during a live broadcast, witnessed by viewers on Facebook. The victim, Juan Jumalon, also known as DJ Johnny Walker, was targeted by a gunman who posed as a listener to gain access to his home-based radio station in Calamba town, Misamis Occidental province. The assailant opened fire twice, snatched Jumalon’s gold necklace, and fled on a motorcycle with an accomplice waiting outside. Authorities are currently investigating the motive behind this heinous act and whether it was work-related.
Unfortunately, the Philippines has gained a notorious reputation as one of the most perilous places for journalists. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr expressed strong condemnation for the shooting and ordered the national police to apprehend and prosecute the culprits. Marcos emphasized that attacks on journalists will not be tolerated in a democratic society, and those who jeopardize press freedom will face severe consequences.
The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines, a watchdog for press freedom, lamented the incident, highlighting that Jumalon became the 199th journalist to be killed in the country since 1986. This period marks the return of democracy following the overthrow of dictator Ferdinand Marcos, the current president’s father, through a mass movement known as the “People Power” uprising. The organization expressed particular outrage since the attack occurred at Jumalon’s own home, which also served as the radio station.
A video capturing the attack depicts Jumalon, aged 57, momentarily pausing and looking towards something off-camera before the sound of two gunshots rings out. As background music continues playing, he slumps back in his chair. Unfortunately, Jumalon succumbed to his injuries while being transported to the hospital.
Although the attacker was not visible in the Facebook livestream, authorities are reviewing security cameras installed in the house and neighboring properties in the hopes of obtaining additional evidence. This incident serves as a grim reminder of a previous tragedy from 2009, when members of a powerful political clan and their associates mercilessly killed 58 individuals, including 32 media workers, in Maguindanao province. This remains the deadliest single attack on journalists in recent memory.
While the mass killing was later attributed to a violent electoral feud common in rural areas, it underscored the perils faced by journalists in the Philippines. The country struggles with challenges such as a proliferation of unlicensed firearms, private armies controlled by influential clans, and inadequate law enforcement in rural regions. These factors contribute to the security concerns journalists encounter in this economically deprived nation.
