Suspect in killing of broadcaster Jumalon pleads not guilty

The suspected gunman of radio anchor Juan "DJ Johnny Walker" Jumalon has pleaded not guilty to murder before a Calamba court.

Suspect Julieto “Ricky” Mangumpit entered a not guilty plea before the Calamba Regional Trial Court Branch 36 during the arraignment and pre-trial, according to a statement released Monday by Presidential Task Force on Media Security executive director Paul Gutierrez.

Mangumpit was nabbed in April in Dipolog City, Zamboanga del Norte while his alleged accomplices, cousins Boboy and Renante Bongcawel, were arrested last March in Sapang Dalaga town, Misamis Occidental.

Jumalon was shot dead on November 2023 while he was doing a live broadcast on 94.7 Gold FM at his house in Calamba, Misamis Occidental.

Jumalon’s wife earlier said she believes personal grudge was the motive for the killing of her husband.—Celine Serquina/LDF, GMA Integrated News