A case for rape with homicide was filed against the 33-year-old suspect in the rape-slay of an 18-year-old woman in Tubungan town, Province of Iloilo.

The suspect, identified as Aljohn Jalbuna, earlier admitted killing Candy Tabanda in Barangay Ingay, Tubungan on June 17, 2025.

On Monday, June 23, 2025, the suspect was accompanied by personnel of the Tubungan Municipal Police Station at the Iloilo Provincial Prosecutor’s Office for the filing of the case.

The mother and a sibling of the victim were also around during the filing of the case.

When asked again by GMA Regional TV One Western Visayas on whether he raped the victim, the suspect shook his head, and said “mapapatawad sana nila ako (may they forgive me.)"

When other members of the media asked him again about illegal drugs use, the suspect denied this time that he used illegal drugs prior to the crime. The statement has opposed his judicial affidavit wherein he owned up to killing the woman and using illegal drugs before perpetrating the crime.

“Boluntaryo siyang umamin na siya ang pumatay. May inilagay siya doon na nakagamit siya ng iligal na droga,” said Lt. Niel Eric Goniabo, deputy chief of Tubungan Municipal Police Station.

The victim’s family did not accept his apology.

“Sabi niya patawad. Ano ang ipagpatawad dahil wala na, hindi na maibabalik si Candy. Marami pa siyang pangarap, sa isang araw lang nawalang lahat,” Irish Faith Tabanda, elder sister of the victim, said.

Irish and their father arrived in Tubungan dawn on June 21, 2025 from New Zealand.

Candy would have traveled to New Zealand, Irish said.

Aside from the rape-slay, the suspect faces multiple complaints at the barangay for alleged theft, burglary, and voyeurism.

“Nito lang, may mga record siya sa barangay tulad ng pagnanakaw, pag-aakyat-bahay, at may nagreklamo rin sa akin na namboboso siya. Mga apat o lima, basta nag-a-allege ang iba na nakita nila na binobosohan sila,” said Barangay Chairman Leonardo Tamises.

Tubungan Police are awaiting the suspect’s drug test result.