Speaker on Jumalon’s slay: Media must be able to work sans safety fears

NOT SAFE AT HOME Screengrabs of the CCTV footage from the home of Juan Jumalon show two gun-wielding men entering the driveway (with one of them pointing his weapon at the houseboy) as the other intruder steps into Jumalon’s booth (right photo) and shooting the broadcaster during his livestreamed radio show.

MANILA, Philippines — Journalists should be able to work free from fear for their safety, House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez said on Monday.

His statement comes after a local broadcaster in Misamis Occidental was shot dead inside his radio booth while on the air.

Romualdez said the government should ensure the persons responsible for the killing of 57-year-old radio host Juan Jumalon will be brought to justice.

“We are deeply saddened by the tragic demise of radio host Juan Jumalon, fondly known as DJ Johnny Walker of 94.7 Calamba Gold FM,” the Speaker said.

“The freedom of the press is a cornerstone of our democracy. Every journalist deserves the right to exercise their profession without fearing for their safety or their lives,” he noted.

“Any attack or violence against members of the media is unacceptable and deeply troubling. We must ensure that those responsible for these heinous acts are brought to justice,” he stressed.

Reports said Jumalon was shot by a lone gunman who barged into the radioman’s studio, located inside his home at Purok-6, Barangay Don Bernardo A. Neri in Calamba town, Misamis Occidental.

The assailant shot Jumalon through his mouth, according to police officer Eliver Quicio, the chief investigator.

The radioman was the owner and station manager of 94.7 Calamba Gold FM.