The grieving parents of stand-up comedian Gold Dagal are demanding justice after their son was brutally gunned down in Pampanga on March 15, 2025.
His parents, Ronnie Dagal and Jocelyn Cruz, have publicly voiced their anguish and frustration, raising questions about the motive behind his death.
Gold’s father, Ronnie Dagal, took to Facebook on March 18, calling out those responsible for his son’s murder.
“WHO ORDERED THE KILLING OF MY ONLY SON? IS IT YOU? We are just ordinary people working to earn a living,” he wrote.
Expressing deep sorrow, he recalled his family’s legacy, mentioning that his father was a World War II veteran who fought for the country’s independence.
“How dare you do this to us?!” he lamented.
Ronnie described the killing as senseless, emphasizing that his son was simply working hard to provide for his family.
“He was just working to earn a living… How could you do this to us? Why did you kill my son?” he wrote in the comments section.
Accompanying his message was an old photo of Gold as a child, as he emotionally declared, “I LOVE YOU GOLDEN!”.
Gold’s mother, Jocelyn Cruz, also made a powerful statement, claiming that people who “claim to be closest to God” were behind her son’s death.
She detailed how Gold fought for his life for nine hours, undergoing multiple cardiac arrests before eventually succumbing to his injuries.
“A hired killer ended his life and made sure he does not survive,” she wrote.
Cruz speculated that threats Gold received due to his comedy routines might have led to his murder. Gold was known for his sharp humor tackling socio-political issues, including controversial references to a religious group in his stand-up sets.
“Why this happened? I know those he offended with his jokes during one of his shows had planned to end his life, like how they constantly threatened him,” she claimed.
Reports suggest that Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) was allegedly among the subjects of Gold’s satirical routines. However, official police reports have not yet confirmed the actual perpetrators or a direct link between the INC and the killing.
Gold Dagal was widely recognized for his bold comedic style, pushing boundaries on taboo topics, human rights, and abuses of authority. His mother described how he sought to challenge audiences to think critically, particularly through his conceptualized Roast Battle, which aimed to teach Filipinos to handle satire without being overly sensitive.
Despite her initial concerns over Gold’s approach to comedy, Cruz stood by her son’s character, calling him a respectful and considerate man who always cared for his family.
“They killed my son, whom I raised to be good and smart and who is always handsome,” she said.
She concluded with a heartfelt message: “He was always honest and funny—my parents’ first grandchild, everyone’s kuya, my favorite human being. I will miss you, my anak. Rest in peace now with Papa. I will see you again, my baby boy.”
As of now, there is no official confirmation from authorities regarding the identity of the perpetrators or their motive. While speculations are swirling around his controversial jokes and past threats, investigators have yet to release findings.
Non-profit organization Project Jade confirmed Gold’s passing, and calls for a transparent investigation and swift justice continue to mount.
