By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga 

The Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (NOCPPO) has assured protection for local media practitioners in response to the murder of a radio broadcaster in Misamis Occidental on Sunday, November 5.

Police Major Rhojn Darrell Nigos, NOCPPO spokesperson, said they are currently accounting the representatives from various media outlets in the province for threat assessments.

Nigos said police stations are also coordinating with local media practitioners. 

So far, the NOCPPO has not received reports of harassment and threats against them.

Earlier this week, radio broadcaster Juan Jumalon, also known as “DJ Johnny Walker,” was shot dead while broadcasting live from his radio station in Misamis Occidental’s Calamba town.

President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. ordered the Philippine National Police to conduct a thorough investigation of the murder and to hunt down the perpetrators.

Marcos further stated that attacks against journalists will not be tolerated, and those who threaten the freedom of the press will face the consequences.

The Senate has also condemned the assassination of Jumalon.

Senate Bill 2335, or the Journalist Protection Act, which will also provide mandatory additional insurance benefits for all media personnel, including freelance journalists, is pending its approval in the Senate./DGB, WDJ