Jumalon killing now deemed as ‘completely solved’—PTFoMS

THE Presidential Task Force on Media Security (PTFoMS) today announced the arrest of the suspected gunman in the November 2023 killing of Misamis Occidental radio broadcaster Juan “DJ Johnny” Jumalon in Dipolog City, Zamboanga Del Norte.

“This case is as good as completely solved,” said PTFoMS Executive Director Usec. Paul M. Gutierrez, as he cited the report from Misamis Occidental Provincial Police Office director, P/Col. Dwight Monato, on the arrest of Jolieto Dumaog Mangumpit, aka, ‘Ricky’ this April 29, 2024.

Mangumpit is the identified gunman who shot dead Jumalon inside his residence in Brgy. DBAN, Calamba, Misamis Occidental in the early morning of November 5, 2023 while he was broadcasting on air.

In his report to PTFoMS Chair, Department of Justice (DOJ) Secretary Jesus Remulla, PTFoMS Co-Chair Press Secretary Cheloy Garafil and Executive Secretary Lucas P. Bersamin, Gutierrez said Mangumpit was arrested by joint operatives and intelligence personnel of the Misamis Occidental and Zamboanga Del Norte Police Offices, past 3:00 am, in Dipolog City, based on an arrest warrant for murder issued by Judge Michael Lotao Ajoc of Regional trial Court (RTC) Branch 36, 10th Judicial Region, Misamis Occidental.

Aside from the killing of Jumalon, Monato told Gutierrez that Mangumpit also has 8 outstanding warrants of arrest for murder, frustrated murder, direct assault, and violation of the anti-drug law. He is also listed in the province’s most wanted criminals.

“Finally, the quest for justice for the family of Jumalon will be served with the arrest of Mangumpit. All three suspects directly involved in the killing of Jumalon are now in the hands of the law,” the official pointed out. “We are optimistic that given the weight of evidence against them, they would be convicted by the court.”

It can be recalled that last March 15, 2024, P/Col. Monato, ground commander of the SITG Johnny Walker, also reported on the successful apprehension in Bgy. Sapang Dalaga, Misamis Occidental, of Mangumpit’s accomplices, cousins Boboy Sagaray Bongcawel aka, ‘Boboy’ and, Renante Saja Bongcawel, aka, ‘Inteng.’

Official investigation disclosed that Inteng drove the getaway motorcycle while his cousin Boboy acted as the backup gunman of Ricky, who pulled the trigger on Jumalon inside his radio booth.

“We commend both regional offices of the Philippine National Police in Region 10 and Region 11, especially the Misamis Occidental Police Office under P/Col. Monato and the entire SITG Johnny Walker Team for their dedication and for a job very well done,” Gutierrez said.

“The arrest of the suspects also reinforced the assurance of Pres. Ferdinand Marcos Jr. that his administration, thru the PTFoMS, is committed to creating a safe environment for the media. This we will do by ensuring that perpetrators of violence are arrested and made to pay for their crimes,” he added.

“As PTFoMS chairman Secretary Remulla also pointed out, the best deterrence against violence is the certainty of arrest of the perpetrators; we shall continue to strive to breakdown the culture of impunity in the media sector,” the PTFoMS official said.

The PNP and the PTFoMS immediately formed SITG Johnny Walker just hours after Jumalon’s killing focused on solving the case as ordered by Pres. Marcos and as part of the task force’s existing mechanism to address violent attacks against members of the press.

Their effort to capture the suspects is supported by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC), and the intelligence units of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine Army.

A reward amounting to P3.7 million was also committed by the provincial government of Misamis Occidental, PTFoMS and the PAOCC to encourage the public to provide information leading to the suspects’ arrest.

“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,” Gutierrez added.

Monato for his part, described the arrest of the three suspects as a meaningful step forward in bringing justice to Jumalon and his family, adding that it is a clear message that the PNP is relentless in its pursuit of individuals who are wanted by the law and that crimes will not go unpunished.