Radio host Juan Jumalon, 57, shot dead during livestream after gunman broke into home studio pretending to be a listener
A radio anchor in the Philippines has been shot dead while performing a live Facebook broadcast.
Juan Jumalon, known as DJ Johnny Walker, was shot twice in Calamba after a gunman brazenly entered the home studio pretending to be a listener, cops said.
Mr Jumalon was live-streaming on Facebook at around 05:30 local time when the suspect entered the recording booth and shot him.
The “listener” asked permission to announce “something important on air”, the BBC reports.
Horrifying footage showed the 57-year-old looking up at something away from the camera before the shots ring out.
He then slumps back in his chair as the music plays on.
The attacker was then seen snatching the DJ’s gold necklace before fleeing on a motorbike with a companion who had been waiting outside Jumalon’s home.
The attacker was not seen on the Facebook livestream but police said they were checking if security cameras installed in the house and at his neighbours recorded anything.
The DJ’s wife took him to hospital immediately after the incident, but it is understood doctors pronounced him dead upon arrival.
Jumalon’s broadcasts were usually aired on 94.7 Gold Mega Calamba FM Facebook page, which has around 2,400 followers.
The Philippines has long been regarded as one of the most dangerous places for journalists in the world.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. strongly condemned the shooting and said he ordered the national police to track down, arrest and prosecute the killers.
“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,” Marcos said in a statement.
The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines, a press freedom watchdog, said Jumalon was the 199th journalist to be killed in the country since 1986.
“The attack is even more condemnable since it happened at Jumalon’s own home, which also served as the radio station, the watchdog said.
The Sun is your go to destination for the best celebrity news, football news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures and must-see video.
Download our fantastic, new and improved free App for the best ever Sun Online experience. For iPhone click here, for Android click here.
Like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/TheSun and follow us from our main Twitter account at @TheSun.