DOJ forms task force to probe killing of Dayang in Kalibo

ANOTHER MEDIA KILLING This photo posted on the Facebook page of the Presidential Task Force on Media Security shows police investigators inspecting the house of veteran journalist Juan “Johnny” Dayang, 89, who was shot and killed by a lone gunman in his home in Kalibo, Aklan, on
Tuesday night. Dayang was chair emeritus of the Publishers Association of the Philippines Inc. and a former mayor of Kalibo.

MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Justice (DOJ) has created a special investigation team to look into the killing of former Kalibo Mayor and journalist Juan “Johnny” Dayang.

In a Department Order made public Tuesday, two prosecutors were designated to lead the Special Investigation Team on New Cases (SITN).

The SITN “will be tasked to coordinate with law enforcement agencies to ensure a thorough, impartial, and expeditious investigation of media-related killings.”

“The SITN is directed to submit regular progress reports to the DOJ until the case is fully resolved. In the meantime, Undersecretary Jose Torres Jr. of the Presidential Task Force on Media Security (PTFoMS) has been notified of this development and is closely coordinating with the designated prosecutors and law enforcement agencies conducting the investigation,” the DOJ said.

Dayang was shot dead at his house on the evening of April 29, Tuesday.

READ: Journalist killed at home in Kalibo

Dayang is the first journalist killed since 2023, following a year without any journalist killing in the Philippines in 2024.