Senate Minority Leader Koko Pimentel III denounced the brutal killing of veteran journalist Juan “Johnny” Dayang, who was shot dead in his home in Kalibo, Aklan recently.
“I strongly condemn this heinous act. Johnny Dayang was more than a journalist — he was a friend of my late father, former Senate President Nene Pimentel. He was a fearless voice in Philippine journalism who served the public with integrity for decades,” Pimentel said.
“Johnny Dayang was more than a journalist — he was a friend of my late father, former Senate President Nene Pimentel.”
““He was 79 years old, and even at his age, he remained devoted to the welfare of journalism. Whoever did this are not just evil — they are heartless criminals who attacked a defenseless man who dedicated his life to serving the truth,” the veteran legislator said.
“To silence a journalist is to silence the truth.”
“To silence a journalist is to silence the truth. We must protect press freedom and the lives of those who uphold it,” the seasoned lawmaker added.
Dayang, the longtime president of the Publishers Association of the Philippines Inc. (PAPI), also wrote for Balita and Tempo under the Manila Bulletin Publishing Corp. His death was confirmed by authorities from the Aklan Police Provincial Office.
The senator called on the Philippine National Police and the Department of Justice to immediately conduct a full and transparent investigation and ensure that those responsible are held accountable.
Pimentel extended his condolences to Dayang’s family and the media community, saying, “We lost a principled journalist and a courageous advocate of truth.”
