Journalist shot dead while broadcasting live in the Philippines

The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) said in a statement that 57-year-old radio announcer Juan Jumalon - known professionally as DJ Johnny Walker - was shot dead in Misamis Occidental on November 5.

He works for Gold FM 94.7 radio station in the Philippines. Local media said the attack by unidentified gunmen was captured on the radio station's Facebook live stream.

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. condemned the killing and ordered an investigation. “Attacks on journalists will not be tolerated in our democracy and those who threaten press freedom will face the full consequences of their actions,” he wrote on X.

The NUJP called the attack on Mr Jumalon a “blatant murder”. He was shot dead in his Calamba home, which also served as his office. “The attack is even more condemnable because it occurred in Jumalon’s private home, which also served as his radio station,” the NUJP said.

Initial investigation by Calamba police showed that a man asked permission to enter the radio station premises to announce “something important,” Cebu Daily News reported.

Rappler reported that Senior Police Officer Paul Guigayoma of the Calamba City Police Station said the two gunmen walked to the radio station at around 5:35 a.m. Sunday while journalist Jumalon was broadcasting his program. “They obviously knew the way because they opened the iron gate and rushed inside the radio station,” Guigayoma said.

A man is said to have pulled a gun from his pocket just before entering the area where Mr Jumalon was broadcasting. He is said to have fired a single shot at the journalist.

One of the two suspects is said to have taken the necklace that journalist Jumalon was wearing before both fled the scene. Journalist Jumalon was taken to the hospital by relatives and doctors declared him dead on arrival.

Hoang Hai (according to Independent, Reuters, AP)

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