This is among the placards carried during a candle-lighting protest organized by progressive groups and media organizations at the office of the Commission on Human Rights on Sunday, Nov. 5, 2023. (Photo by KENOSIS YAP / Contributor)
MANILA, Philippines — The College Editors Guild of the Philippines (CEGP) joined other media organizations and progressive groups on Sunday in condemning the killing of radio broadcaster Juan Jumalon, popularly known as DJ Johnny Walker, in Misamis Occidental early Sunday morning.
In a statement, the groups condemned the brutal killing of Jumalon as they called for an “end to impunity” in attacks against journalists.
“Jumalon’s death must bind us together, once more, to call for an end to the impunity that hounded our profession for the longest time. Moreso, we must reaffirm the principles we bravely upheld: truth, courage, and unequivocal service to the masses,” the CEGP said.
LOOK: Progressive groups and media organizations stage a candle-lighting protest at the Commission on Human Rights along Commonwealth Avenue, QC to condemn the assassination of radio broadcaster Juan Jumalon, in Misamis Occidental, this morning.
📸: Kenosis Yap@inquirerdotnet pic.twitter.com/ZQ6mzc3jmm— Faith Argosino (@FArgosinoINQ) November 5, 2023
Based on police reports, Jumalon was killed while airing live in his morning radio program in Calamba town.
Citing the National Union of Journalists in the Philippines, the CEGP said Jumalon was the 199th journalist killed since 1986 and the fourth under the current administration.
It added that the 57-year-old radio broadcaster was killed three days after the global media community commemorated the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists on Nov. 2 and just weeks before the remembrance of the Maguindanao massacre on Nov. 23.
“This brazen attack only proves that journalists in the Philippines and their working conditions remain hazardous. There is no ‘lessening of fear’ in this line of work-rather, worsening attacks pile up day by day. Moreover, a significant number of deaths among journalists remain unresolved or were shelved after years of investigation,” the CEGP said.
“The proliferation of massive disinformation and historical distortion also displaces the people’s press. State propaganda alienated the masses from local and alternative media, which for so long has campaigned for the rights of the oppressed and exposed the state’s efforts to crush their resistance and calls for change.”
In line with this, the CEGP encouraged the public to stand with them in calling for justice for Jumalon and other journalists who died in service.
“The attacks on the press are also attacks on all Filipino students. The Marcos Jr. administration’s crimes against journalists perpetuate the discouragement of many more aspirants to hold the line of truth. Only a repressive education system hinders students to call for justice on these death tolls on journalists,” CEGP said.
“We enjoin the Filipino people to stand together with us in these challenging times, and, in resolution, call for justice for our fallen truth vanguard and accountability to the state for failure to protect the freedom of the press.”