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)

By Liezelle Soriano

Presidential Task Force on Media Security (PTFoMS) led by Usec. Paul Gutierrez said there are promising results in the investigation into the killing of broadcaster Juan Jumalon.

“The leads and possible motives being pursued by the investigators are showing promising results pointing to a faster resolution of this incident,” Gutierrez said.

“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,” Gutierrez also said.

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Sunday assured the family of the slain radio broadcaster that law enforcement agencies are exerting all efforts to immediately resolve the incident that happened last November 5.

Misamis Occidental police director PCol. Dwight Monato said that the suspect, a known ‘gun-for-hire’ in the province, has been identified by at least three witnesses.

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

A P500,000 reward has been offered by the office of Governor Henry Oaminal Sr. to anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of the accused, and P3 million to any law enforcement official who can apprehend any of them.

Meanwhile, the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission had pledged P100,000, and the PTFoMS had promised P100,000 for any tip that resulted in the arrest of the perpetrators. (ai/mnm)

By Junex Doronio

ACKNOWLEDGING THE HURT of having lost a loved one who was the breadwinner, Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez has extended financial assistance to the family of slain broadcaster Juan “DJ Johnny Walker” Jumalon in Calamba, Misamis Occidental.

Presidential Task Force on Media Security (PTFOMS) Undersecretary Paul Gutierrez personally handed over the P250,000 worth of assistance given by Romualdez to the Jumalon family.

“After suddenly losing a breadwinner, it’s really difficult for a family to pick up the pieces and carry on with their lives,” Romualdez said.

Earlier, Romualdez strongly condemned the dastardly slaying of Jumalon.

The victim was shot dead in his radio station booth at home in Misamis Occidental while he was live streaming on Facebook last November 5.

“No matter what the motive is behind this killing, the Philippine media lost another one of its members, and we don’t want this to keep on happening,” Romualdez stressed.

The House Speaker also promised that Congress will take measures to protect journalists or the members of the reputed Fourth Estate of a democratic society.

“We in Congress will take concrete steps to ensure that every member of the fourth estate is protected from these senseless killings. They must not live in fear just because of their chosen profession,” Romualdez vowed.

(AI/MNM)