General Santos City— Human rights organizations and LGBTQIA+ groups are calling for a swift investigation into the fatal shooting of Ali Jejhon “Toti” Macalintal, a former radio broadcaster and deputy secretary-general of Karapatan’s Soccsksargen chapter.

Macalintal was shot dead on Monday, 23 July 2025, inside an acupuncture clinic in Barangay Lagao.

An unidentified assailant entered the clinic and shot Macalintal multiple times with a .45-caliber pistol. She was pronounced dead at a nearby hospital. Witnesses reported that two people on a motorcycle fled the scene. Authorities are exploring whether the shooter posed as a client.

Macalintal was known for her advocacy for human rights and worked as an acupuncturist and healer. She co-led fact-finding missions in Mindanao and hosted a program on Radyo Bandera News FM that highlighted community issues.

Karapatan’s Secretary General Cristina Palabay condemned the killing, stating, “Karapatan calls for a swift investigation to bring the perpetrators to justice.” The LGBTQIA+ alliance Bahaghari emphasized that Macalintal’s death reflects the dangers faced by media workers in the Philippines.

The Presidential Task Force on Media Security (PTFOMS) has pledged a thorough inquiry, coordinating with local police to investigate potential links to her media work.

The incident adds to rising concerns over violence against journalists, with a 44% increase in attacks reported between July 2022 and April 2025. The Philippines ranks 116th out of 180 on the “World Press Freedom Index 2025.”

Investigations are ongoing, and advocates are demanding accountability and stronger protections for those in media and activism. Macalintal’s murder highlights the risks faced by journalists and LGBTQIA+ advocates nationwide.