Adrian Rovic Fornillos was a charismatic 24-year-old pageant king and civil engineering student at Liceo de Cagayan University in Cagayan de Oro.

Known for his intelligence, athleticism, and charm, he was crowned Mr. LDCU Games in 2019 and was a hopeful contender for Mr. Cagayan de Oro 2023.

Since August 2019, he had been in a public, seemingly happy relationship with Jone Lonel Orog, a fellow student and seasoned beauty queen herself.

Their social media feeds painted a picture of a perfect, ambitious young couple, celebrating anniversaries and milestones, including the recent purchase of a motorcycle.

Adrian often praised Jone as the woman who stood by him through everything. This idyllic image was shattered on the night of May 9, 2023. After a gym session, Adrian went to his trainer’s house to practice for the upcoming pageant.

As he arrived outside, a man approached, ordered him to remove his helmet, and then shot him in the head.

A horrific video captured by a witness showed three men carrying Adrian’s bleeding body, rushing him to the Northern Mindanao Medical Center. Tragically, he could not be saved and was declared to have passed away at 12:03 a.m.

The news shocked the community. Police initially investigated a motive related to the pageant, suspecting a rival. Adrian’s father, however, was adamant his son had no known enemies.

Jone Orog posted emotional tributes on social media, revealing new tattoos of Adrian’s name, their initials, and their anniversary date, drawing widespread public sympathy.

The investigation, led by Police Lieutenant Colonel Evan Viñas, formed a tracker team. While CCTV footage of the suspects on a “baobao” (tricycle) was blurry, witness testimonies provided crucial leads.

On June 9, 2023, Colonel Viñas announced the pageant angle was dropped. The motive, he declared, was a “crime of passion.” He confirmed three suspects, including the mastermind, had been charged with serious crimes, though he did not release names.

The case remained quiet until August, three months after Adrian’s passing, when the narrative imploded. Screenshots of alleged conversations between Jone Orog and a friend leaked on social media.

These messages suggested Jone had been in a secret, five-year relationship with an older, married man—a “sugar daddy” who was a pastor.

This relationship allegedly predated her relationship with Adrian. The screenshots, dated as far back as 2021, detailed gifts from the pastor, including a PHP 4,000 bag, and Jone even encouraging her friend to find a similar arrangement.

Public outrage surged as the pastor was identified as 51-year-old Denver Andales of the Lapasan Baptist Church, a prominent local figure. Photographs emerged of Andales himself praying over Adrian’s family at the wake, posted by Adrian’s unsuspecting father.

Speculation ran wild: Was Jone’s college education funded by Andales? Was the motorcycle Adrian was riding when he was taken also a gift from the pastor? Andales, who ran for city council in 2022 and has connections to high-profile politicians, publicly denied the “fake news,” claiming his political rivals were smearing him and threatening libel suits.

However, on September 6, 2023, the City Prosecutor’s Office confirmed that murder charges had been filed against Pastor Denver Andales and four other unnamed individuals. The basis for the charges: the explosive testimony of Jone Orog herself and two other witnesses. Jone’s lawyer confirmed she provided crucial evidence.

The PNP Anti-Cybercrime Unit managed to enhance the blurry CCTV footage, identifying the alleged gunman as Jeet Nonot, Andales’s personal driver and a junior pastor at his church. Jone Orog reportedly confessed to the authorities about her long-term affair with Andales, whom she knew used Nonot as his driver for their secret meetings.

She testified that one day before the fatal incident, she met with Andales, who demanded she choose between him and Adrian. When she chose Adrian, Andales allegedly exploded in anger, calling her a user and gold-digger, and threatening her. She didn’t take the threat seriously until Adrian was gone.

On October 16, 2023, based on a warrant issued by Judge Marites Bernales, authorities arrested Pastor Denver Andales and his driver, Jeet Nonot. Both were processed and detained at the Cagayan de Oro City Jail. Andales declined to comment, while Nonot denied the allegations.

Lieutenant Colonel Viñas later clarified that Jone Orog’s cooperation was the key to solving the case.

She voluntarily turned over her Samsung S23 phone, which contained text messages and financial records confirming her illicit, multi-year relationship with Andales and his motive of jealousy.

Jone is currently under the protective custody of the PNP as the star witness. While many online believe she should also be charged, authorities have not indicated any plans to do so, suggesting she may have been granted immunity for her testimony.