Community radio announcer shot dead in Negros Occidental town
A radio announcer in Himamaylan City, also a job order worker for the local government, was shot dead in La Castellana town, Negros Occidental on Friday afternoon.
Julito "Jaz" Diamante Calo, a 49-year-old community radio announcer from Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental, was shot dead on March 20, 2026, in La Castellana town. Calo, who hosted the program "Waswasanay sa Quinto Distrito" on 88.3 DNN News FM and worked as a job order casual employee for the Himamaylan local government, was standing in front of his residence in Sitio Lapak Kawayanan, Barangay Robles around 2 p.m. when the attack occurred.
According to police reports, a white Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) from La Carlota City stopped in front of Calo, and an unidentified gunman emerged and shot him in the head, causing immediate death at the scene. The assailant then fled toward La Castellana town center. Police have established checkpoints and launched a manhunt for the suspect.
La Castellana police chief Police Major Romulo Gepilango is leading the investigation into the motive behind the killing. Reports indicate that Calo had previously been assaulted by a local councilor, though specific details about this prior incident were not provided in the available information.
The shooting has raised concerns about media safety in the Philippines, particularly for community journalists. As of the latest reports from March 20, 2026, no suspects have been identified or apprehended, and the investigation is ongoing to determine the exact circumstances and motive behind the attack on the radio announcer.
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