Philippine radio host, Juan Jumalon, known as DJ Johnny Walker, has been confirmed dead aged 57. How he died, what happened to him, personal and family life, and more explored.
Juan Jumalon, known as DJ Johnny Walker, was a prominent radio personality.
Sadly, in November 2023, the world learned about Juan’s death as he became the 199th journalist to be killed in the country since 1986. His tragic death has left a lot in shock. Here’s everything we know about his career, how he died, and his family.
What was Juan Jumalon’s cause of death?
Radio anchor Juan Jumalon in the Philippines has been confirmed dead in November 2023.
At the time of his passing, he was 57 years old.
Mr Jumalon died while performing a live broadcast on Facebook at around 05:30 local time when the suspect entered the recording booth and shot him.
About how he died, he was reportedly shot twice in Calamba after a gunman brazenly entered the home studio pretending to be a listener, cops said.
Per reports, the killer pretended to be his die-hard fan and a listener.
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 rang 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.
He was pronounced lifeless upon arrival when his spouse took him to the hospital.
Jumalon’s broadcasts were usually aired on 94.7 Gold Mega Calamba FM’s 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.
Was Juan Jumalon married with children?
The late Juan Jumalon was a husband and a father at the time of his death.
His wife and children’s names are unknown to the media as he lived a private life when he was alive despite having thousands of listeners.
The DJ’s wife took him to hospital immediately after the incident, but it is understood doctors pronounced him dead upon arrival.