The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Monday released the composite sketch of one of the suspects in the fatal shooting of a 57-year-old broadcaster who was shot dead while his program was being live-streamed in Calamba town, Misamis Occidental on Sunday.
PNP information chief and spokesperson Col. Jean Fajardo said that Regional Forensic Unit 10 made the facial composite and the copy was provided by Misamis Occidental Provincial Police Office (PPO).
Based on the composite sketch, the suspect was described as around 5'5 to 5'6 tall, about 40 years old, with a brown complexion.
The suspect was wearing a red hat, a green t-shirt, and black shorts when the crime occurred as the police are still investigating the suspect's identity
"Computerized facial composite of one of the suspects in the shooting incident victimizing Juan Jumalon @ Johnny Walker. Ito ang kasama ng gunman na naiwam sa may gate This is the one with the gunman who was caught at the gate," said Fajardo.
Fajardo hoped the composite sketch would help authorities in finding and arresting the suspects.
Jumalon, also known as DJ Johnny Walker of Calamba Gold FM 94.7, was shot inside his home studio in Purok 2, Barangay Don Bernardo A. Neri around 5:35 a.m. on Sunday, while livestreaming the program "Pahapyod sa Kabuntangon."
He was declared dead on arrival at Calamba District Hospital.
DILG Secretary Benhur Abalos condemned the attack against Jumalon in Misamis Occidental as a deplorable and dastardly act that has no place in our society.
"It was a direct assault to press freedom and to a greater extent to our democracy. Upon the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr., the Philippine National Police (PNP) has already activated Special Investigation Task Group (SITG) 'Johnny Walker' to run after and send the perpetrators behind bars," Abalos said in a separate statement.
At this point, Abalos can confirm that the SITG has already come up with a computerized facial sketch of one of the suspects which has already been made available to the public for identification.
"The SITG also has already done cross-matching the shells and slug found in the crime scene. Likewise, it also already enhanced the recovered CCTV footage with the help of the PNP Regional Anti-Cybercrime Unit," said Abalos.
"We expect to have breakthroughs in this case at the soonest time possible. We extend our deepest sympathies to the bereaved family of Mr. Jumalon," he added.
The Interior Secretary assured the public that the DILG and the police are focused on the pursuit and accountability of the perpetrator of this murder incident
The Calamba Municipal Police Station (CMPS) in Misamis Occidental province said it is investigating the identity of the perpetrators who were caught in closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage.
Capt. Diore Ragionio, Officer-in-Charge of CMPS, said in an interview that witnesses have been invited to the Police Regional Office-10 (PRO-10) headquarters here to provide additional statements.
Police are now looking at four angles that led to the killing of Jumalon.
"We have considered all angles (in the motives of Jumalon's assassination) and we are gathering evidence so we can go which (angle) can lead to justice," he said.
The CCTV footage obtained by CMPS investigators showed two suspects entering Jumalon's residence.
The actual shooting was caught while his program was live on Facebook.
The gunman also grabbed what seemed like the victim's necklace.
"We are now actively conducting a thorough investigation to identify the perpetrators of this crime and bring them to justice," PRO-10 Director, PBGen. Ricardo Layug Jr. said.
