Police file murder raps vs 6 people over killing of working student in Batangas

Six individuals are facing a murder complaint over the killing of a 22-year-old working student in San Jose, Batangas, according to the municipal police.

San Jose Municipal Police Station (MPS) on Monday said it filed a murder complaint against four identified respondents and two unidentified individuals in connection with the killing of Charles Usi.

“The complaint was filed on October 29, 2026, before the Office of the Batangas Provincial Prosecutor at Bulwagang Katarungan, Batangas City, under Docket No. IV-02-PE-26J-00281 for violation of Article 248 of the Revised Penal Code, as amended,” the police said.

San Jose MPS identified the four identified respondents by their aliases "Xam," "Ento," "Non," and "Dali."

All six respondents remain at large, according to the San Jose MPS.

Earlier, the Philippine National Police (PNP) confirmed that a well-known personality and five other individuals were linked to Usi’s death.

Investigators were looking into a possible love triangle as the motive behind the killing.

The victim was shot dead while riding his motorcycle along the national highway in Barangay Banay-banay II on October 25.

Video footage showed the victim traveling along the highway when unidentified suspects riding another motorcycle allegedly pulled alongside him and opened fire.

Police initially thought the victim had figured in a road accident. However, responding personnel later discovered that he had sustained gunshot wounds to the back that pierced through his chest.

He was rushed to a hospital but was declared dead.

Investigators recovered two empty shell casings from a .45-caliber firearm at the crime scene.

Authorities said the victim was reportedly on his way home from the restaurant where he worked as a musician when the shooting happened. — RSJ, GMA News