(April 29, 2025) Today, we mourn not merely the loss of a journalist — we grieve the passing of a mentor, a leader, a friend, and a true pillar of our profession.
The brutal and senseless killing of Mr. Juan P. Dayang — lovingly known to many of us as Boss Johnny — strikes at the very heart of journalism itself. He was far more than a veteran of the field; he was a guiding light, a steady hand, and a wellspring of strength and inspiration to generations of journalists. His words, his courage, and his unwavering devotion to truth shaped countless lives — and will continue to shape many more.
I was privileged to have been personally mentored by Boss Johnny during my time as his chief of staff at the Publishers Association of the Philippines, Inc. (PAPI). I will always remember how he gave me my first major break — entrusting me to build the websites of PAPI and the Catholic Mass Media Awards (CMMA). Under his mentorship, I found my footing in public relations and media — knowledge that would chart the course of my career and life. For this, and for so much more, I am forever grateful.
Boss Johnny taught me — and so many others — that journalism is not simply a profession; it is a calling. It demands honesty, bravery, and an unbreakable commitment to the service of the people. That such a powerful voice for truth could be silenced so violently is a tragedy we must not — and will not — allow to pass without justice.
Today, I join my fellow media practitioners in demanding swift, fearless, and unwavering accountability. Those responsible for this cowardly act must be brought to justice. We cannot, and must not, allow fear, violence, or silence to take root where truth and integrity must prevail.
To Boss Johnny’s family, friends, and all whose lives he touched, I offer my deepest sympathies. Your grief is ours. Your loss is ours. We share in your mourning, and we stand with you in your call for justice.
We will honor Mr. Dayang’s memory by living the values he embodied — by telling the stories that matter, standing bravely for what is right, and never retreating in the face of threats.
Boss Johnny, we will not forget.
We will not be silenced.
Your legacy lives on in every truth we dare to tell.
Roy Bato
CEO
IBS Media Group
Founding Chairman
The Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas (KBP) – CALABARZON CHAPTER
