Juan Jumalon, known to listeners as “DJ Johnny Walker,” a prominent radio journalist in the Philippines, was brutally murdered during a Facebook live stream from his home studio in the early hours of Sunday, November 5, 2023.
The incident took place in Calamba city, in the southern Philippines where the 57-year-old Jumalon resided. The murderer gained entry into the home studio under the guise of delivering a message and then shot Jumalon twice, horrifying his Facebook live viewers. The criminal also stole Jumalon’s gold necklace before escaping the scene on a motorcycle, aided by an accomplice. However, CCTV footage also depicted two gunmen entering, and a third person acting as a lookout outside the house.
Following the attack, Jumalon was rushed to the hospital where he was declared dead upon arrival. His death marks the 199th such incident of a journalist being slain in the Philippines since 1986, portraying the ongoing risk that media personnel face in the country.
This brutal event was condemned by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., who directed the Philippine National Police for an in-depth investigation to apprehend Jumalon’s murderer. The current administration stated firmly that attacks on the media fraternity are intolerable and stressed upholding media safety.
The Philippines’ history of violence against journalists has raised concerns globally, making it one of the most hazardous countries for media workers. The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) appealed to the local authorities to investigate whether Jumalon was targeted because of his profession.