The Philippine National Police (PNP) said it was investigating possible work-related motives in the killing of radio announcer Julito “Jaz” Diamante Calo in Negros Occidental.
Calo, 49 years old, was shot dead on Friday, March 20, in Sitio Lapak Kawayanan, Barangay Robles, La Castellana, authorities said.
Initial investigation showed the victim was standing outside his home when a white sports utility vehicle approached, and one of its occupants shot him in the head, killing him instantly.
PNP spokesperson Police Brigadier General Randulf Tuaño said authorities were looking into two possible angles behind the killing.
“Dalawang anggulo ang tinitingnan nila, ito ay work-related bilang mediaman or work-related bilang job order ng Himamaylan [local government unit],” Tuaño said.
The Negros Island Regional Police Office has activated a Special Investigation Task Group (SITG) to conduct a region-wide manhunt and intensify investigative operations.
“Kinokondena ng PNP ang anumang uri ng karahasan lalo na sa ating mga kasamahan sa media. Sanhi man nito ay related sa trabaho bilang media man o job order, ito ay hindi karapat-dapat. Ito ay gagawan ng immediate na solution ng PNP,” Tuaño said.
In a separate statement, PNP chief Police General Jose Melencio Nartatez, Jr. ordered a thorough investigation and assured the public that those behind the attack would be held accountable.
“We assure the public and the media community that we will look closely into this case to arrest and charge all those involved in this senseless killing,” Nartatez said.
Tracker teams have been deployed to identify and pursue the suspects, while investigators continue to validate leads to build a strong case.
Nartatez said the PNP would coordinate with the Presidential Task Force on Media Security to assess potential threats to other media workers in the area.
“Hindi natin pinababayaan ang anumang banta sa ating mga mamamahayag. We treat every report with the utmost urgency through our Media Security Vanguards,” he said. (ABS-CBN News)