A radio anchor in the southern Philippines was fatally shot during a live broadcast in his own home on Sunday. Juan Jumalon, also known as "DJ Johnny Walker," was the victim of a brazen attack that occurred while his program was being watched on Facebook Live. The gunman gained entry to Jumalon's home-based radio station by pretending to be a listener and shot him twice during the live morning broadcast in Calamba town, Misamis Occidental province. After the shooting, the attacker stole Jumalon's gold necklace and fled on a motorcycle with an accomplice who was waiting outside the house.

Authorities are currently investigating the motive behind the attack and whether it was work-related. The Philippines has long been considered one of the most dangerous places for journalists, and this incident has sparked outrage. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. condemned the shooting and ordered the national police to track down and prosecute the killers. He stated, "Attacks on journalists will not be tolerated in our democracy, and those who threaten the freedom of the press will face the full consequences of their actions."

The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines, a press freedom watchdog, expressed their condemnation of the attack, noting that Jumalon was the 199th journalist to be killed in the country since democracy was restored in 1986. They emphasized the severity of the incident, as it took place at Jumalon's own home, which also served as the radio station.

A video of the attack captured Jumalon pausing and looking upward before shots were heard, causing him to slump back in his chair. Although the attacker was not visible on the Facebook livestream, police are reviewing security camera footage from Jumalon's house and neighboring properties to aid in their investigation.

Captain Deore Ragonio, the police chief in Calamba, stated that they were unaware of any previous threats against Jumalon's life. He described Jumalon as someone who mainly covered current events and had not been known to criticize anyone in his broadcasts. Jumalon hosted a Cebuano-language show on 94.7 Gold FM Calamba station, and his broadcasts were also aired on the station's Facebook page, where he had 2,400 followers.

This tragic incident highlights the ongoing dangers faced by journalists in the Philippines. The country has a history of deadly attacks on journalists, including the notorious 2009 massacre in Maguindanao province, where 32 media workers were among the 58 people killed. Unlicensed guns, private armies controlled by powerful clans, and weak law enforcement in rural regions contribute to the security concerns faced by journalists in the poverty-stricken Southeast Asian country.

Recent months have seen a rise in attacks on radio journalists in the Philippines. In May, radio host Cris Bundoquin was shot and killed by two assailants on a motorcycle in Calapan City. In October of last year, motorcycle-riding gunmen killed longtime radio commentator Percival Mabasa in metropolitan Manila. These incidents reflect the ongoing threats faced by journalists in the country.

The Philippines is ranked eighth on the Committee to Protect Journalists' impunity index, which highlights countries where journalists are murdered and the killers go free. While press freedom may be more prevalent in the Philippines compared to other Asian countries, the dangerous environment for journalists remains a significant concern. Journalists have been targeted by criminal clans and faced harassment from the government. Under the previous administration of Rodrigo Duterte, many journalists were "red-tagged," marked as communists, which led to killings, harassment, and prosecution. The trend of red-tagging has continued under President Marcos, with journalists remaining vulnerable to threats and attacks.