Suspect in radioman's slay nabbed

MANILA, Philippines — The prime suspect in the murder of radio broadcaster Juan Jumalon, alias “DJ Johnny Walker,” was arrested in Dipolog, Zamboanga del Norte before dawn yesterday, according to the Philippine National Police.

PNP spokesperson Col. Jean Fajardo said the suspect, identified as Julito Mangumpit, was collared at around 3:10 a.m. in a joint operation conducted by the Misamis Occidental and Zamboanga del Norte police.

Fajardo said probers have yet to determine the motive for the killing as well as the amount of money paid to the killers.

Earlier, the provincial government of Misamis Occidental, Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) and the Presidential Task Force on Media Security (PTFoMS) offered P3.7 million for information leading to the arrest of Jumalon’s killers.

Mangumpit’s arrest was based on a warrant issued by Judge Michael Ajoc of the Regional Trial Court Branch 36, 10th Judicial Region based in Misamis Occidental in connection with the killing of Jumalon as well as eight other warrants for several serious offenses.

Jumalon was shot dead during a live broadcast at his home in Misamis Occidental on Nov. 5, 2023.

Fajardo said Mangumpit was the last suspect to be arrested in connection with the Jumalon murder case.

Two others – Boboy and Renato, both surnamed Bongcawel – were arrested in Sapang Dalaga, Misamis Occidental in March.

Although Mangumpit refused to cooperate with the police, Fajardo said the investigation would continue until the mastermind is identified.

She said a witness described Mangumpit and his accomplices as contract killers.

“The firearm used in Jumalon’s murder was linked to a previous shooting incident involving a municipal engineer in Misamis Occidental,” Fajardo said.

‘Good as completely solved’

With the arrest of Mangumpit, the PTFoMS and the PAOCC consider the Jumalon slay case “good as completely solved.”

PTFoMS executive director Paul Gutierrez said that justice for the family of Jumalon would be served now that all three suspects are in the hands of the law.

Gutierrez said the PTFoMS is eyeing three possible motives – business, politics and personal – for the murder of Jumalon, adding the suspects are former communist rebels.

“While the suspects continue to feign innocence, we are confident that in the course of the trial, the mystery behind the motive as to why Jumalon was killed would be finally revealed,” he said.