There is no place for any "barbarian attacks" against journalists in a democratic country like the Philippines, President Marcos said.
This as he condemned the killing of radio broadcaster Juan Jumalon who was shot dead inside a radio booth in Misamis Occidental on Sunday morning, Nov. 5.
"Ang ganitong walang kabihasnang pag-atake sa ating mamamahayag ay walang lugar sa isang demokratikong bansa (This kind of barbarian attack against our journalists has no place in a democratic country)," Marcos said in a statement on Sunday.
"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 also said on X, formerly Twitter.
He stressed that "attacks on journalists will not be tolerated in our democracy," adding that "those who threaten the freedom of the press will face the full consequences of their actions."
The President ordered the Philippine National Police (PNP) to conduct a thorough investigation and run after those behind the killing.
The Palace also conveyed his sympathy to Jumalon's family, and assured them that justice will be served.
"Pinapaabot namin ang pakikiramay ng buong administrasyon sa pangunguna ng ating Pangulo sa pamilya at mga kaanak ni Johnny Walker. Makakaasa kayo ng aming masusing pagtutok upang mabigyan ng hustisya ang kanyang pagpaslang (We are extending the whole administration condolences to the family and relatives of Johnny Walker. Rest assured that we will conduct a thorough investigation to bring justice on his death)," the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) said.
Jumalon, also known as Johnny Walker, 57, was a radio anchor and station manager of Gold FM 94.7 based in Calamba, Misamis Occidental.
Police said he was shot by a lone gunman while he was on air at around 5:30 a.m. He was declared dead on arrival at the Calamba District Hospital.
Earlier, the Presidential Task Force on Media Security (PTFoMS) called on the PNP to activate a special investigation task group and bring about the arrest of those responsible for the killing of the radio news anchor.
READ MORE: Palace directs PNP task group to arrest culprits in radio announcer's slay