Journalist Juan Dayang shot dead

ILOILO CITY, Philippines – Veteran media personality and longtime publisher of Graphic magazine Juan “Johnny” Dayang was shot dead at his home in Barangay Andagao, Kalibo, Aklan on Tuesday night.

The attack was staged at around 8:30 p.m. as Dayang had just finished dinner.

The 89-year-old Dayang, also a former mayor of Kalibo, was
reportedly in the living room, watching television and waiting for his tea when a man shot him.

The gunman was allegedly wearing a black jacket and a full-face helmet.

The suspect dismounted from his Black Honda Click motorcycle and fired three shots from outside the perimeter fence of the Villa Salvacion residence.

Police are still checking if the gunman had a companion.

But reports claimed he sped off toward Calachuchi Road, Barangay Andagao.

When the household helper checked Dayang, she saw blood oozing from his neck and back.

The victim was immediately rushed to Dr. Rafael S. Tumbokon Memorial Hospital but was declared dead on arrival

For the past two weeks, Dayang reportedly went to the police several times to put on blotter that there were suspicious persons circling his home.

Just yesterday morning, his househelp claimed to have seen two motorcycle-riding men stopping outside their home.

She went out to check but they immediately left.

They were allegedly wearing bonnets and their faces concealed.

Hours after the murder, the Police Regional Office (PRO) 6 said it is pursuing “good leads.”

Brigadier General Jack Wanky, Western Visayas police chief, claimed they already have a person of interest “but cannot yet confirm as to the possible motive,” adding it was difficult to speculate.

Wanky said they’re also reviewing CCTV footage in the area to aid in their investigation.

Meanwhile, in a statement, PRO-6 said the police are pursuing an airtight investigation and will explore all available legal means to identify and bring the suspect/s to court so that justice can be served to the victim.

The police office extended its “deepest sympathy and condolences to the bereaved family and fervently affirm our assurance to hold the perpetrator accountable.”

Dayang, a public relations officer, was chairman emeritus of Aklan Press Club and former president of Publishers Association of the Philippines Inc.

He was publisher of the Philippine Graphic Magazine and Headline Manila daily newspaper. Dayang also served as president of the Manila Overseas Press Club.

He was UNESCO commissioner, Red Cross governor, National Book Development Board governor and board member of the Fortune Insurance Co. of the ALC Group of Companies.

His death comes on the 21st anniversary of the passing of Graphic’s former editor-in-chief, National Artist Nick Joaquin.

The Presidential Task Force on Media Security has condemned the killing of Dayang, who served as Kalibo mayor after the 1986 People Power revolution.

In a statement on Tuesday night, PTFoMS executive director Jose Torres Jr. said the Philippine National Police (PNP) is leading the investigation to identify and apprehend those responsible for this “heinous act.”?“We are closely coordinating with all concerned agencies to ensure the immediate resolution of this case,” he said.

“We stand in solidarity with the media community as we mourn the passing of Mr. Dayang, a figure regarded as a pillar of Philippine journalism whose contributions greatly enriched our democratic discourse,” Torres said.

Torres extended his condolences to the family and loved ones of Dayang, saying the journalist’s legacy “will continue to inspire future generations of journalists in their pursuit of truth and justice.”

The PTFoMS called on the public to remain vigilant and to support efforts that uphold press freedom and protect media professionals in the Philippines.

PNP chief Gen. Rommel Marbil yesterday vowed justice for Dayang’s family as he condemned the senseless killing.

“We have mobilized our regional units and investigative teams, including the PNP Media Vanguards, to ensure that justice is delivered without delay,” he said in a statement.

The Vanguards are police officers trained to engage and support journalists and other members of media outfits.

At a news briefing in Camp Crame, PNP spokesperson Brig. Gen. Jean Fajardo said probers are pursuing “good leads” in the case.

She said investigators are reviewing closed-circuit television footage to identify the gunman.

“Definitely we will be looking at multiple angles,” she said, including if Dayang was supporting a candidate in the midterm elections and his background as a journalist.

• Helen Flores, Emmanuel Tupas