The Presidential Task Force on Media Security (PTFoMS) has called on the Philippine National Police (PNP) to activate a special investigation task group and bring about the arrest of those responsible for the killing of a radio news anchor who was shot dead inside a radio booth in Misamis Occidental.
“Even as we extend our sympathy to the victim’s family and friends over this dastardly attack, we also call on the Misamis Occidental Police Office to immediately constitute its SITG (special investigation task group) to investigate this incident and apprehend the suspect and others possibly involved in the interest of justice,” said Undersecretary Paul Gutierrez, PTFoMS executive director, said.
Police identified the victim as Juan Jumalon, also known as Johnny Walker, 57, radio anchor and station manager of Gold FM 94.7 based in Calamba, Misamis Occidental.
Gutierrez noted that the creation of a special investigation task group on such incidents was among the agreed protocols among the agencies within the PTFoMS.
He also alerted the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to start gathering evidence in support of the ongoing investigation to hasten its resolution.
“While the motive is yet to be determined, we consider this incident as ‘work-related’ for the moment," Gutierrez said.
“We also call on our colleagues in the media and the public not to resort to any speculation or make baseless accusations that can only distract our investigators on the true motive for the attack on Jumalon. Instead, we call on them to provide relevant and factual information that can hasten the resolution of this incident,” Gutierrez added.
A video clip of the incident that has gone viral showed Jumalon being shot twice by the suspect who also grabbed his gold necklace before fleeing the crime scene.
Police said Jumalon was declared dead on arrival at the Calamba District Hospital.