TRIGGER WARNING: THIS REPORT CONTAINS MENTIONS OF RAPE

The suspect in the rape-slay of an 18-year-old woman in Tubungan town, Province of Iloilo tested positive for drug use. 

In his affidavit, Aljohn Jalbuna, the suspect, said that before he committed the crime, he had a drinking spree with friends and used illegal drugs. 

However, when he was interviewed by members of the media, he denied using illegal drugs.

Further, in his affidavit, he denied vehemently that he raped the victim. 

The victim, Candy Tabanda, was found dead in her residence in Barangay Ingay, Tubungan on June 17, 2025. 

Tubungan Philippine National Police (PNP) believes that Jalbuna has no accomplice when he perpetrated the crime. 

“Iyan lang ang nakuha natin, pati ang admission niya na siya lang mag-isa ang gumawa,” Captain Alberto Manguilimotan Jr., chief of Tubungan Municipal Police Station, said.

Meanwhile, in a judicial affidavit of the victim’s sibling, it was cited that Jalbuna was almost always seen hanging out outside of the victim’s residence, and at the backyard. But they did not take his presence as suspicious as Jalbuna is also a resident of Barangay Ingay. 

In the comprehensive autopsy report of the victim’s body, it was established that she sustained multiple traumatic injuries on the head, contusions and abrasions on her eyebrow, mouth, nose, left chin, head, forehead, and private parts. 

A case for rape with homicide was filed against the suspect on June  23, 2025.