The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) vehemently denounces the ruthless and cowardly assassination of veteran journalist “Juan” Johnny’ Dayang, who was brutally gunned down inside his own home in Kalibo, Aklan on April 29, 2025.
This cold-blooded act of violence against a pillar of press freedom is an assault not only on one man but on the fundamental right to truth, accountability, and justice. The gunman, arriving on a motorcycle, mercilessly fired three shots through the victim’s fence before fleeing the scene, leaving the community in shock and grief. Dayang succumbed to his wounds, declared dead on arrival, another tragic loss in the growing list of targeted attacks against media professionals.
Dayang, an esteemed leader in Philippine journalism, was the president of the Publishers Association of the Philippines Inc. (PAPI), a former publisher of the Philippine Graphic, and a respected columnist for the Manila Bulletin Publishing Corp. His dedication to free and responsible journalism made him a beacon of integrity and a relentless advocate for press freedom.
CHR commends the swift action of law enforcement in launching an immediate and thorough investigation into this barbaric act. However, it is not enough to merely investigate, justice must be served, and the perpetrators must be held accountable with the full force of the law.
Recognizing the urgency of the situation, CHR has deployed a Quick Response Operation (QRO) Team to conduct an independent investigation, ensuring that all angles are explored and that the pursuit of justice remains unwavering.
The Commission extends its deepest condolences to Dayang’s loved ones and reiterates its call for stronger protections for media workers, who continue to risk their lives in pursuit of truth. In this fight against impunity, CHR urges journalists and media practitioners to report any form of threat, harassment, or attack through the “Alisto! Alert Mechanism,” a newly established initiative aimed at safeguarding media welfare.
Now more than ever, we must rise to defend the Fourth Estate—our frontline against tyranny and misinformation. If journalism is silenced through violence, democracy itself is in peril. CHR demands immediate action and accountability to ensure that journalists can speak, write, and report without fear—because a nation without a free press is a nation that has lost its way.
