On August 21, 2022, the quiet of a Taguig neighborhood was shattered by the sound of gunfire, leaving three young people dead and a nation grappling with a story of obsessive rage, jealousy, and a chilling lack of remorse. The victims were Joshua, a 22-year-old aspiring entrepreneur; his 25-year-old girlfriend, Angelica “Angie” Bina; and their friend and Grab driver, Mark Ian Desquitado.

The suspect, quickly identified and hunted by police, was not a stranger. He was Julian “Jimboy” Paningbatan Jr., an ex-Philippine Navy seaman and Angelica’s former live-in partner. What unfolded was not just a tragic crime, but a dark and twisted narrative in which the suspect attempted to justify his horrific actions by vilifying the woman he once claimed to love.

Lives Full of Promise

Before their lives were tragically cut short, the victims were on a path of hope and ambition. Joshua was a recent graduate who, instead of seeking employment, bravely started his own streetwear clothing brand called “Make Sense.” He was a beloved son and a sweet older brother, whose family proudly supported his entrepreneurial dreams.

Angelica was a hardworking single mother of two who had worked for years as an OFW in Japan to provide for her children and family. Her relationship with Joshua was new — a hopeful chapter after a difficult past.

Mark Ian was a friend, a driver who was simply in the wrong place at the wrong time. They were three young people with bright futures ahead of them.

The Killer’s Narrative: A Story of a Man Scorned

After his eventual surrender, Jimboy Paningbatan painted a self-serving and distorted picture of his relationship with Angelica. He claimed he had been deeply in love with her, to the point that he left the Navy at her urging because she allegedly asked him to choose between his career and their relationship.

He alleged that he moved in with her and her family in Mindoro, only to be belittled and called a “freeloader” and “parasite” when he struggled to find work.

In his unrepentant interviews, he launched a harsh verbal attack against Angelica, accusing her of being manipulative, materialistic, and unfaithful. He claimed she had humiliated him and forced him into a life of crime to support her supposed lifestyle.

He even made shocking allegations about her personal life, trying to frame himself as the victim. In his twisted logic, he believed Angelica had “ruined his life” and that she “deserved” what happened to her.

A Different Truth: The Family’s Rebuttal

Angelica’s family tells a completely different story. They refute Jimboy’s claims, stating that he was the one who failed to provide financial support for Angelica and their child. They say that they were the ones who shouldered her prenatal care and the birth of their son.

According to them, Angelica’s decision to leave him and work in Japan was not betrayal, but necessity. As a single mother of two, she wanted to secure a stable future for her children — something Jimboy could not offer.

Her new relationship with Joshua was not an act of infidelity but a fresh start after breaking free from a toxic and unproductive partnership.

The Night of the Attack

The final encounter was supposed to be a meeting for “closure.” Angelica was scheduled to fly back to Japan, and she had agreed to see Jimboy one last time.

According to his own account, they shared a meal and talked before parting ways. He claimed he returned a short time later because he had forgotten to give her PHP 3,000 (about $50) for child support.

Upon his return, he said he saw Angelica outside, laughing with Joshua and Mark. Jimboy stated that the sight of her happiness “brought back all the pain” of her alleged betrayal. Enraged, he pulled out a gun and opened fire on Joshua and Mark.

CCTV footage captured the moments that followed. Angelica tried to run and close the gate to the transient house, but Jimboy overpowered her and fatally shot her at close range.

A Killer with No Remorse

The manhunt for Jimboy was swift, fueled by public outrage. It was soon discovered that he was already one of Pasay’s Top 3 Most Wanted individuals, with four outstanding arrest warrants for carnapping and robbery.

He was a dangerous and violent man long before the triple murder. Fearing for their safety from public backlash, his family cooperated with the police. On September 1, 2022, Jimboy surrendered.

He was charged with three counts of murder. His statements to the media were shocking not just for their content, but for their complete lack of remorse. He calmly explained his “justifications,” his face cold and emotionless, never once expressing regret for the three lives he had taken.

The case is a tragic and horrifying example of obsessive rage and toxic masculinity. Jimboy Paningbatan could not accept that Angelica had moved on. In his mind, her happiness without him was an insult, and he responded with a fatal act of control and violence.

While he awaits his trial, three families are left to mourn the bright futures that were stolen in a single, senseless act of jealousy.