A radio host was shot dead during a live stream from his home studio by a gunman who was pretending to be a listener.
The assailant, disguised as a listener, entered the home studio of 57-year-old news broadcaster Juan Jumalon, unleashing a devastating attack that has left the Philippines in shock, per the Daily Mail.
The horrifying incident took place during a morning broadcast in Calamba town, located in the Misamis Occidental province, as reported by local authorities.
Startling video footage of the attack captured the moment when Jumalon glanced away from the camera just before the shots rang out, causing him to slump back in his chair, all while the broadcast continued with background music.
Tragically, he was pronounced dead while en route to a nearby hospital.
The attacker, whose identity remains concealed, was seen grabbing Jumalon's gold necklace before making a hasty escape on a motorbike, where an accomplice was waiting outside the radio presenter's home.
Law enforcement has wasted no time in launching a thorough investigation to uncover the identity of the assailant and determine the motives behind this violent act.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr has strongly condemned the shooting, asserting that he has instructed the national police to track down, apprehend, and prosecute the individuals responsible.
In a firm statement, he declared: "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."
The Philippines has long been known as one of the most perilous places for journalists worldwide, the Mail reports.
The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines, a prominent press freedom watchdog, revealed that Mr. Jumalon is the 199th journalist to have lost their life in the country since 1986 - the year when democracy was restored, following the "People Power" uprising that ousted dictator Ferdinand Marcos and led to his family's exile in the United States.
The watchdog further emphasized the gravity of the situation, stating: "The attack is even more condemnable since it happened at Jumalon's own home, which also served as the radio station."
While the attacker was not captured on the Facebook livestream, the police are reviewing potential security camera footage from the house and neighboring residences in an effort to shed light on the incident.
This tragic incident is similar to a horrific event in 2009 when members of a powerful political clan, along with their associates, executed 58 people, including 32 media workers, in a violent and meticulously planned attack in the southern Maguindanao province.
This brutal act stands as the deadliest single attack on journalists in recent history and serves as a stark reminder of the perils faced by journalists in the Philippines, as reported by Al Jazeera.
A proliferation of unlicensed firearms and private armies under the control of influential clans, coupled with weak law enforcement in rural areas, are among the pressing security concerns faced by journalists.
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