MANILA, Philippines – A radio broadcaster was gunned down in Misamis Occidental as he was airing his program on Sunday, November 5, the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) said.

Juan Jumalon, 57, professionally known as “DJ Johnny Walker” of Gold FM 94.7 Calamba in Misamis Occidental, was shot dead by unidentified attackers. The shooting was caught on a livestream of his show.

The incident happened at the victim’s residence where his radio booth is also located.

According to a Cebu Daily News report quoting initial findings of the police, a man asked permission to enter Jumalon’s radio booth to announce “something important.”

Meanwhile, Police Corporal Paul Guigayoma of the Calamba municipal police station in Misamis Occidental said the two gunmen arrived on foot at around 5:35 am at the radio station as the victim was airing his program.

“Apparently they knew their way around because they open the iron gates and barged inside the radio station,” Guigayoma said.

Guigayoma said one of the gunmen barged into the studio which occupied a small room in front of Jumalon’s house while one acted as a lookout.

According to Corporal Eliver Quico, the town’s police chief, the attacker shot Jumalon twice, hitting his lower lip and the back portion of his head. The assailant grabbed Jumalon’s necklace as he fled.

Family members rushed Jumalon to Calamba District Hospital, but an attending physician pronounced him dead upon arrival.

Condemning killings, threats against journalists

The NUJP condemned the brazen killing of Jumalon. “The attack is even more condemnable since it happened at Jumalon’s own home, which also served as the radio station,” it said.

“Many community journalists have reported to us receiving threats from politicians and their supporters in the aftermath of their coverage of the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections last October 30, “ NUJP Mindanao Safety Office chief Kath Cortez said.

The Mindanao Independent Press Council Inc. (MIPC), meanwhile, are saddened by the “barbaric” killing of Jumalon. They said that attacks on journalists are a “grave assault on the fundamental principles of human rights, press freedom, and democracy itself.”

The MIPC called for immediate action on the incident, urging authorities “to commit to safeguarding the lives and well-being of journalists, who play a vital role in upholding transparency and accountability in our society.”

Jumalon’s killing is the 199th since 1986 and the fourth under the Marcos administration. – with reports from Uriel Quilinguing and Froilan Gallardo/Rappler.com