Philippine President Marcos condemns killing of radio journalist who was gunned down while on air
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Mr Juan Jumalon was in his home-based radio station on the southern island of Mindanao when a gunman shot him in the head.
PHOTO: ONETV PHILIPPINES/FACEBOOK
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MANILA – Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr strongly condemned the killing of a radio broadcaster who was fatally shot in his studio on Sunday – the latest in a long line of journalists killed in the country.
Mr Marcos, in a post on the social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, said: “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.”
Mr Juan Jumalon, 57, was in his home-based radio station on the southern island of Mindanao when a gunman shot him in the head, said Captain Deore Ragonio, police chief in the Calamba municipality in Misamis Occidental province.
The gunman gained entry into the studio by pretending to want to make an on-air announcement, a police statement said. He escaped and Mr Jumalon was pronounced dead at a local hospital, the statement added.
Mr Jumalon is the fourth journalist killed since President Marcos took office in June 2022, the media watchdog National Union of Journalists (NUJP) said.
NUJP also condemned the “brazen killing”, which it said was caught on a live stream of Mr Jumalon’s show. His home in Calamba served as his radio station.
The Philippines has one of Asia's most liberal media environments, but it remains one of the world's most dangerous places for journalists, particularly in the provinces.
It came in eighth in a list of countries that fared poorly when it comes to prosecuting killers of journalists, according to the 2023 Global Impunity Index released by the Committee to Protect Journalists last week. Radio broadcasters outside the capital are frequently targeted.
Mr Jumalon used the name “DJ Johnny Walker” at his Cebuano-language 94.7 Gold FM Calamba station.
Captain Ragonio said police were investigating a motive for the killing. They were not aware of any previous threats against Mr Jumalon’s life. “He tackles mostly current events and is not known to have criticised anyone in his broadcasts,” he said. The broadcasts are also aired on the station’s Facebook page, which has 2,400 followers. AFP, REUTERS
