Still no person of interest in Dayang murder case
Juan “Johnny” Dayang. —Photo from PAPI Facebook page
ILOILO CITY, Philippines — Police investigators have yet to identify any person of interest in the murder of Aklan veteran journalist Juan “Johnny” Dayang on April 29.
“[The] Police Regional Office (PRO) 6 is pursuing an airtight investigation and shall explore all available legal means to identify and bring the suspect/s to court so that justice may be served to the victim,” Lt. Col. Arnel Solis, spokesperson of the Philippine National Police Western Visayas regional police office, said in a video message.
“Furthermore, we extend our deepest sympathies and condolences to the bereaved family and fervently affirm our assurance to hold the perpetrator accountable, with the [PRO 6] fully committed to ensuring the safety of the people of Aklan and the rest of Region 6,” he added.
READ: Veteran journo, ex-Kalibo Mayor Dayang, 89, slain at Aklan home
A special investigation task group has been formed by the Aklan Provincial Police Office to coordinate with regional and national agencies, including the Presidential Task Force on Media Security.
Investigators said they are still reviewing different footage taken by closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras near the crime scene for any leads.
The 89-year-old victim was watching television in his house on Tuesday night when, based on CCTV footage, a man in a black jacket and motorcycle helmet alighted from a black Honda Click motorcycle and fired a gun through the living room window.
Wake in Kalibo
Dayang, who was hit in the neck and back, died while being brought to a hospital.
On Thursday, his family opened his wake to the public at the Chapel of the Saints inside the Kalibo Cathedral, where his remains will lie until Saturday. Dayang’s body will be flown to Manila afterward for interment.
Dayang was a fixture on Western Visayas’ media landscape with a career that spanned more than 50 years. He served as publisher of Philippine Graphic Magazine and the now-defunct Headline Manila and Headline Extra. He was also a columnist for Tempo and Balita.
He steered the Publishers Association of the Philippines Inc. for over two decades, headed the Manila Overseas Press Club, and founded the Federation of Provincial Press Clubs of the Philippines. He also served as Kalibo mayor from March 1986 to January 1987.
