By Nycel Jane Dela
There is still no clear motive as to the attempted killing of radio broadcaster Jay “Papang Jay” Lavapiez last June 22, 2026.
The Capiz Police Provincial Office (CPPO) and Roxas City Police Station (RCPS) are still working to establish the motive behind the attack, identify the gunman, the driver of the getaway motorcycle, and any possible mastermind through evidence-based investigation.
The CPPO and RCPS are part of the Special Investigation Team (SIT) created by Brig. Gen. Randulf Tuaño of Police Regional Office (PRO-6).
CPPO acting director Lt. Col. Ricardo Jomuad Jr. said they are strongly looking into the angle that it might be related to the victim’s media work.
Among the leads being examined are threatening comments posted during Baskog Radyo’s Facebook Live broadcasts before the June 22 shooting incident.
“Indi ka na madugayan,” one comment said.
Lavapiez has reason to believe the comment was made by a troll or someone with a fake Facebook profile.
Lavapiez and his wife “Mamang India” are facing several libel cases for their radio commentaries.
The Lavapiez husband and wife also had alleged close links to Don Chiyuto Jr., who is alleged to be the leader of a multi-billion investment scam in the province.
The attack has renewed attention on the safety of journalists. Before the Lavapiez incident, the last violent incident involving the media in Capiz was in May 2021 when former journalist John Heredia was fatally shot in Roxas City.
