Police Launch Special Task Force to Solve Killing of Negros Radio Announcer
BACOLOD. The La Castellana Municipal Police Station continues its thorough investigation into the fatal shooting of a community radio announcer on March 20, 2026, in La Castellana, Negros Occidental. In a significant development, the Police Regional Office-Negros Island Region (PRO-NIR) has ordered the activation of a Special Investigation Task Group (SITG) to ensure a focused, coordinated, and results-oriented case build-up.
Intensified Manhunt and Investigative Operations
Lieutenant Colonel Joem Malong, chief of the PRO-NIR Public Information Office, stated that the Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (Nocppo) was directed to activate the SITG to intensify region-wide manhunt and investigative operations. The SITG is currently conducting extensive closed circuit television (CCTV) camera backtracking operations across La Castellana, La Carlota City, and adjacent areas to establish the movement, entry, and escape routes of the suspect vehicle.
Investigation revealed that the victim, identified as Julito “Jaz” Diamante Calo, 49, an anchor of the “Waswasanay sa Quinto Distrito” program on DNN News FM based in Himamaylan City, was standing in front of his house beside the road around 2:30 p.m. when a white Sports Utility Vehicle coming from the direction of La Carlota City stopped in front of him. An unidentified suspect onboard the vehicle suddenly shot him in the head, resulting in his immediate death. The suspect then fled toward La Castellana town proper. Calo was also a job order employee of the local government of Himamaylan City.
Regional Support and Strategic Measures
Malong added that regional support units have been mobilized simultaneously to augment ground operations. This includes the establishment of strategic checkpoints and dragnet operations along possible escape corridors. "These measures are aimed at restricting suspect mobility and generating actionable intelligence for immediate law enforcement action," she emphasized.
PRO-NIR has also directed the strengthening of witness identification, protection, and case documentation to ensure all available evidence is secured, supporting the filing of airtight criminal charges. The ongoing investigation is focused on determining the motive behind the incident, including possible personal, professional, or targeted attack angles, while intelligence units work to identify all individuals involved, including possible accomplices.
Urgency and Accountability Emphasized
Brigadier General Arnold Thomas Ibay, PRO-NIR director, underscored the urgency of the operation and the accountability of ground commanders. "This is a deliberate act of violence, and we expect results. I directed Nocppo to exhaust all investigative and operational means to identify and arrest the perpetrator at the soonest possible time and ensure that no lead is left unpursued," he stated.
He further noted that case resolution and suspect apprehension remain the primary measures of operational effectiveness, with all concerned units under strict instruction to deliver results without delay. Ibay assured the public that the full capability of the organization is being utilized to ensure swift resolution of the case and immediate arrest of those responsible.
Police are encouraging the public to report any information that may assist in the investigation, as PRO-NIR remains steadfast in its commitment to uphold peace, order, and justice across the region.
