KALIBO, Aklan – Authorities have a suspect in the killing of veteran journalist and former Kalibo mayor Johnny Dayang.
BB Boy Kim Wency Bayang Antonio was named on Thursday, May 8, by Police Brigadier General Jack Wanky, director of Police Regional Office 6, during a press conference at Camp Pastor Martelino in Aklan.
Wanky described Antonio as a possible hired killer in what police believe could be a politically or business-motivated assassination.
Antonio, a former drug offender arrested in Pasig City in 2021, is now the subject of a nationwide manhunt.
“The family does not know the gunman. That strongly points to a hired killer,” Wanky said.
Both political and business angles are being considered as motives for the April 29 daylight murder of the 75-year-old Dayang, a respected journalist.
Even Dayang’s son reportedly urged authorities to investigate business-related leads.
Through backtracking efforts, the Special Investigation Task Group (SITG) “Dayang” was able to trace Antonio to a hotel in Kalibo where he checked in alone in April, allegedly claiming to be on vacation.
Investigators also recovered the rented motorcycle used in the crime, along with a jacket resembling the one worn by the gunman seen in a security camera footage.
The suspect was observed loitering near Dayang’s residence in Villa Salvacion, Andagao, on the morning of the killing. Police said he had rented motorcycles on April 3, 10, and 26 — suggesting days of surveillance and planning.
Antonio was last tracked leaving Western Visayas through Iloilo Airport on May 2, said Wanky.
Law enforcement agencies across the country have been alerted as authorities race to apprehend Antonio, who they believe holds the key to identifying the mastermind.
Dayang, who served as officer-in-charge mayor of Kalibo and was a long-time political columnist, was gunned down outside his home by a lone assailant. His death has triggered outrage in local media and political circles, with calls mounting for transparency, swift action, and protection for journalists./PN
