Former Kalibo mayor and journalist Johnny Dayang, 75, was fatally shot inside his home on Tuesday, April 29, 2025, in Barangay Estancia, Kalibo, Aklan.
According to the Aklan Provincial Police, Dayang was shot while watching a news program in his home.
He was rushed to Dr. Rafael S. Tumbokon Memorial Hospital but was declared dead on arrival.
Authorities recovered three spent bullet casings at the scene, suggesting the use of a high-powered firearm.
As of now, the gunman remains unidentified, and no suspect description has been released.
A special task force has been formed to investigate Dayang’s death.
Police are looking at CCTV footage from nearby areas and talking to witnesses to gather more information about the attack.
Dayang served as mayor of Kalibo from 1992 to 1995.
After leaving office, he continued his work in media, organizing forums and writing about issues affecting Aklan and the Visayas.
His work earned him respect as both a public servant and a journalist.
Dayang’s death adds to the alarming number of attacks on journalists in the Philippines, a country where media practitioners continue to face significant threats.
Authorities are urging anyone with information about the incident to come forward.
Johnny Dayang, 75, was a former mayor of Kalibo, Aklan, and a veteran journalist. He served as the mayor of Kalibo from 1992 to 1995 and continued his work in media afterward, writing and organizing public forums focused on local and regional issues.
The Philippines has long been considered one of the most dangerous countries for journalists. According to media watchdog groups, more than 80 journalists have been killed in the country since 1992, many of them targeted due to their work exposing corruption and abuse of power.
Dayang’s death underscores the risks journalists face in the Philippines, a country known for having one of the highest rates of violence against media workers. His murder has sparked further calls for stronger protection for journalists in the country.
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