KALIBO, AKLAN – Prominent Filipino journalist and former Kalibo Mayor Juan “Johnny” Dayang was shot dead by unidentified gunmen at his home in Kalibo, Aklan province last April 29.

The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and its affiliate, the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP), 1  strongly condemned the killing and called on authorities to conduct a swift, impartial, and transparent investigation.   

Dayang, a veteran publisher of the Philippines Graphic magazine and a former mayor of Kalibo town, located on Panay Island northwest of Boracay resort island's main gateway, was at his home in Andagao village when masked gunmen shot him three times through his living room window. According to his househelp, Dayang was watching a news program when he was attacked. He sustained gunshot wounds to his neck and back and was rushed to the Dr. Rafael S. Tumbokon Memorial Hospital, where he was declared dead around 8:33 p.m.

Initial investigation led by the Kalibo police station recovered three empty shells from the scene. Police Brigadier General Jack Wanky, director of the Western Visayas police, said they are reviewing nearby CCTV footage to track down the suspects, but the possible motive for the targeted killing has yet to be determined.

According to news reports about the attack, Dayang had reportedly informed the Kalibo police a few weeks before his death about suspicious individuals roaming around his property. The day before the shooting, Dayang’s househelp also testified to seeing two masked men on a motorcycle stop in front of the house.

The Presidential Task Force on Media Security (PTFoMS) said in a statement on April 30 that it is closely coordinating with concerned agencies. The Philippine National Police (PNP) also condemned the incident as a "brazen killing."

Journalists and the NUJP have strongly denounced the killing. Dayang was known as a long-time publisher and advocate for press freedom. He was also the chairman emeritus of the Aklan Press Club and a former president of the Publishers Association of the Philippines and the Manila Overseas Press Club. Appointed by former President Corazon Aquino, Dayang also served as mayor of Kalibo from 1986 to 1987 after the EDSA People Power Revolution.

Dayang's death is the sixth journalist killing in the Philippines since President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. assumed office in June 2022, and the first this year.

In a statement, the NUJP said, "The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines joins the media community in denouncing the killing of veteran journalist Juan 'Johnny' Dayang. We laud the swift action of the Presidential Task Force on Media Security and join the calls of the media community for a thorough investigation and resolution of this murder, especially as we approach World Press Freedom Day."

The IFJ emphasized, "The IFJ strongly condemns the killing of journalist Juan 'Johnny' Dayang. This is a heinous crime, and authorities and the Marcos administration must do more to ensure the safety of Filipino journalists across the country."

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