Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, November 6) — The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) will be conducting its own investigation on the slain Misamis Occidental radio broadcaster who was shot on air, Justice Secretary Boying Remulla said on Monday.
“I spoke to the NBI and they already dispatched people to investigate. I have not received the first report yet,” Remulla said in a press briefing.
Authorities from Misamis Occidental said Juan Jumalon, also known as DJ Johnny Walker of 94.7 Calamba Gold FM, was broadcasting live in his home when a gunman entered his residence and shot him in the head.
The Justice secretary called the shooting “AI-like,” describing the recorded scene as “gruesome” enough to numb the viewers’ senses.
“Parang AI na, parang hindi mo na maintindihan kung totoo o hindi, kasi ika nga mamanahid ka sa kalooban mo (It’s like AI, you can’t understand if it’s true or not, because you become numb),” he said.
Remulla also made a call for social media platforms to stop the spread of clips of the shooting online.
“Ito yung bagay na hindi natin pababayaan mabaon sa limot, gagawin natin ang lahat upang mahuli natin ang mga salarin at aalamin natin kung ano talaga ang istorya sa likod nito,” he said.
[Translation: This is something that we will not let sink into oblivion, we will do everything to catch the culprits and find the story behind this.]
Asked if the killing is connected to Jumalon’s profession as a journalist, Remulla said there are many theories that have surfaced – one of which is connected to the victim being a broadcaster.
The chief warned that the various theories that have been floating may be a sign of a “cover up.”
“Mabilis dumating masyado ang mga teorya (The theories came too quickly) which is suspicious to me. I think that these theories, too soon given, may betray a sense of cover up that is why I do not want to cast judgment on any possible theory about the case,” he said.
Remulla said the Department of Justice will wait for the reports from the National Bureau of Investigation and other involved authorities.
Police said they are not removing the possible connection to his profession as a root cause of the incident but added that personal motive is possibly the reason behind the fatal shooting.
