The media sector in the Philippines is in shock at the murder of Juan Dayang, a veteran journalist regarded as one of the pillars of the industry.
The Philippine National Police in Aklan province said Dayang was shot to death Kalibo City on Tuesday while watching television inside his house.
He was 89 years old.
Dayang’s helper Marjorie Yap reportedly noticed at least two unidentified men on motorcycles seemingly observing their house as early as Tuesday morning.
The victim suffered a fatal shot on his neck and was also wounded twice on his back.
He was taken to the Dr. Rafael S. Tumbocon Memorial Hospital but was declared dead on arrival at 8:33 pm.
Dayang was president emeritus of the Publishers’ Association of the Philippines, Inc. (PAPI) that he served for 20 years as leader.
The veteran scribe was a columnist for a national daily at the time of his death.
PAPI president Nelson Santos wrote that the victim was a highly respected figure in the media industry.
“Dayang’s long and distinguished career spanned decades. He served as president of PAPI for over 20 years, leaving an indelible mark on the organization and the Philippine publishing landscape,” Santos wrote.
Aside from leading PAPI, Dayang served as president of the Manila Overseas Press Club, was a former director of the National Press Club, and the founding president of the Federation of Provincial Press Clubs of the Philippines.
Dayang was once mayor of his home city Kalibo in the 1980s.
He was also the incumbent secretary of the Catholic Mass Media Awards.
Santos said the motive behind the murder remains unclear currently, and authorities are pursuing all possible leads.
The Presidential Task Force on Media Security (PTFOMS) condemned the murder, saying it is closely coordinating with all concerned agencies to ensure the immediate resolution of this case.
It added that the Philippine National Police (PNP) is leading the ongoing investigation.
“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,” PTFOMS executive director Jose Torres Jr. said.
Veteran journalist Inday Espina Varona asked who would have wanted Dayang killed in his already advanced age.
“He is already old!” Espina-Varona explained in a Facebook comment.
Multi-awarded Mindanaon journalist Froilan Gallardo recalled that Dayang was generous with his support to provincial journalists.
“I remember him inviting us to his Boracay house to express support to provincial journalists,” Gallardo wrote.
PAPI said that Dayang’s death represents a significant loss to the Philippine media and political landscape.
“His legacy of leadership, dedication to journalism, and public service will be remembered for generations to come,” it said.
Dayang is the fifth journalist killed under the Ferdinand Marcos Jr. government. # (Raymund B. Villanueva)
