Broadcaster Jumalon, known as DJ Johnny Walker, was laid to rest, and President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., via the Presidential Task Force on Media Security (PTFoMS), has assured the grieving family that law enforcement is diligently working to apprehend the culprits responsible for the fatal shooting inside his home-based studio on November 5.

The 57-year-old Jumalon found his final resting place in Polanco, Zamboanga del Norte on Sunday, with Undersecretary Paul Gutierrez, PTFoMS executive director, paying respects at the wake in Calamba town. Gutierrez delivered financial assistance from President Marcos and House Speaker Martin Romualdez to support Jumalon’s family.

Before visiting the wake, Gutierrez conferred with Misamis Occidental police director Col. Dwight Monato in Oroquieta City to discuss the progress of the Special Investigation Task Group (SITG) Johnny Walker. The investigative leads and potential motives being pursued suggest a promising resolution to the case, according to Gutierrez.

On Wednesday, the SITG filed murder and theft charges against one of Jumalon’s three attackers, releasing a computer-generated sketch of the suspect’s face. The suspect, identified as a gun-for-hire in the province, was named by three witnesses, as reported by Monato to Gutierrez.

“We already have the name and background of one of the three possible suspects. This is a good starting point in any investigation,” stated Monato.

Gutierrez also held meetings with the National Bureau of Investigation and the regional office of the Philippine National Police – Directorate for Investigation and Detection Management. He emphasized, “More than the expression of sympathy and the granting of financial support, what we are after here is justice for the victim through the apprehension of the identified suspect and his confederates leading to the unmasking of the mastermind if there is any.”

President Marcos’ directive is clear—to seek justice for the Jumalon family, and Gutierrez expressed satisfaction that law enforcement is actively working towards this goal. The current reward for information leading to the arrest of the suspects stands at PHP3.7 million, and the provincial police office has committed to ensuring the security of the Jumalon family.

(ai/mnm)