The Philippine National Police (PNP) has launched an intensive manhunt following the fatal shooting of radio broadcaster Julito “Jaz” Diamante Calo in Negros Occidental. Calo, 49, the host of a popular news program on 88.3 DNN News FM, was killed outside his home in La Castellana on March 20. According to witnesses, a white SUV stopped in front of the victim before an unidentified assailant fired a shot at his head, killing him instantly.
PNP Chief General Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. condemned the “senseless killing” and immediately ordered the activation of a Special Investigation Task Group (SITG). This task group is now conducting a region-wide operation, utilizing CCTV backtracking across multiple cities to establish the suspect’s escape route. Tracker teams have also been deployed to follow up on leads and coordinate with regional support units to build an airtight case against the perpetrators.
The investigation is currently looking into two primary angles: Calo’s work as a hard-hitting radio block-timer and his role as a local government employee in Himamaylan City. The Presidential Task Force on Media Security (PTFoMS) has also intervened, describing the attack as a direct threat to press freedom in the Philippines. They are working closely with the PNP to assess whether other journalists in the Negros Island Region are facing similar threats.
General Nartatez assured the media community and the victim’s family that the police would exhaust all resources to bring the killers to justice. Strategic checkpoints and dragnet operations have been established along major corridors in the province to restrict the mobility of the suspects. The authorities are also calling on the public to provide any information that could lead to an arrest, emphasizing that witness protection is available for those who come forward.
The killing of Calo has sparked renewed calls from media advocacy groups for stronger protection for provincial journalists. While the Palace has vowed that justice will be served, the incident serves as a grim reminder of the dangers faced by media workers in the country. As the SITG continues its intelligence-driven investigation, the eyes of the nation are on the PNP to see if they can break the cycle of impunity surrounding attacks on the press.
