MANILA, (PIA) — The Presidential Task Force on Media Security (PFTOMS) on Monday offered a reward of P100,000 for anyone who can come forward with information that will lead to the arrest of the suspects in the killing of provincial broadcaster Juan “Johnny Walker” Jumalon on Sunday, November 5.
In a media interview, PFTOMS Executive Director Undersecretary Paul Gutierrez said the task force is appealing to the public to come forward with any information that they may have about the crime. He also assured that all information will be kept confidential.
“We are offering a reward of one hundred thousand [pesos] for anybody who can provide information leading to the arrest of the suspects,” Gutierrez said.
He said the police already released a facial composite of one of the suspects that was produced based on descriptions given by witnesses. The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) have joined the investigation into the murder.
(Courtesy: PTFOMS Facebook Page)
“Well right now again, as I mentioned, they have three suspects in mind as identified through their affidavit and statement given by the witnesses. And one of the latest pursuing the CCTV footages in the crime scene. I understand that early today the Misamis Occidental Police Office already released one of their sketches of computer generated sketches of one of the [suspects],” he added.
Gutierrez, however, expressed doubt that Jumalon’s murder was related to his media work.
“We talked with members of Mindanao Independent Press Council who knew Jumalon and they all said that he was an upstanding media worker. Maayos siya na broadcaster. Parang ‘di ito work-related (He was a good broadcaster. It seems this incident is not work-related),” he said.
Authorities are investigating three suspects – two of whom entered Jumalon’s gated home where he conducted his broadcast, and one posed as a lookout outside – who carried out the deadly attack, which was inadvertently livestreamed on Facebook and captured on CCTV footage. Captured videos of the violent attack have gone viral on social media.
The shooting happened about 5:30 a.m. Sunday, the local police said in a Facebook post. Authorities also asked for the public’s help in the investigation as the search for the attackers continues.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. condemned the murder, ordering authorities to fully investigate the case. “Attacks on journalists will not be tolerated in our democracy,” his statement read. (PIA-NCR)
