Joanna Jonson-Infante was shot at 5:28 in the afternoon along Bayview Road in Barangay San Pedro, on her way to church for Ash Wednesday. The area is also near the Puerto Princesa City Police Office. It was still daylight, the road was not deserted, vehicles were parked nearby, and CCTV cameras recorded the attack.
Footage shows a man approaching her from behind and shooting her in the back. Four spent shells from a .45 caliber firearm were recovered at the scene, the city police said. She was brought to the hospital but later died.
For many, the killing was not just another crime report. It was personal.
The last time I saw Jo was in September 2025 in a press conference. She rushed out from the small hallway at the CAAP office to say hello. She was wearing a Filipiniana then, and in our group photo, we were standing side by side.
On the day she was killed, someone sent me a message asking if I knew her. I replied, “Oo. Bakit?” I was shocked when told she was the one who had been shot in San Pedro. Another sent a photo from the crime scene, showing a woman already lying on the road. I told myself, “Mukhang hindi siya si Jo. Sana hindi siya.” Jo is so beautiful, especially when she smiles. She couldn’t be the one in the picture.
Shock, at this point, gave way to questions.
From watching Forensic Files on YouTube, I’ve learned that in shootings like this, the first hour is critical. That window often decides whether a suspect is caught quickly or slips away.
The crime scene was that close to the city police’s main office. Did the incident not immediately come to their attention? What happened to the 5-minute response time?
There were early accounts suggesting the possible use of a motorcycle, possibly a tandem ride. If that was among the initial lines of inquiry, were exit routes from San Pedro immediately monitored? Were checkpoints activated along major roads without delay? Were patrol units alerted in real time? Was a hot pursuit operation launched while the trail was still fresh?
These are valid questions, not accusations.
The city police later formed a Special Investigation Task Group. Officials said they are reviewing CCTV footage, taking witness statements, and pursuing leads, including persons of interest. These are standard procedures, and they are necessary.
It must also be acknowledged that the killing occurred only on February 18. It is not unusual that no charges have yet been filed as investigators build their case.
Still, public confidence does not exist in isolation.
When Atty. Joshua Abrina was shot on September 17, 2025 in San Jose, the city was shaken. Months later, no case has been filed in that killing, it remains unresolved, and that history inevitably shapes how residents view the latest crime.
Both cases now fall under the leadership of Police Colonel Cristine Tabdi. Together, they form part of the record by which the city police will be judged.
In the days since the shooting, public reaction has split. Some residents say the police response appears slow. Others argue that investigators should move carefully and avoid mistakes, even if that means taking more time.
Both views reflect real concerns.
Speed matters in a violent crime. Immediate action can prevent escape, preserve evidence, and reassure a community on-edge. When updates from authorities are limited, people begin to assume nothing is happening.
At the same time, building a case that will stand in court is not a race. Rushed arrests without solid evidence can collapse under scrutiny. A failed prosecution would only deepen frustration.
The issue is not speed versus patience. It is whether urgency and thoroughness are happening at the same time. The public is not asking for reckless action. It is asking for visible progress, clear communication, and proof that momentum has not stalled.
Slowly but surely is acceptable only if the public can see the “surely.”
As of February 21, broadcaster Mon Tulfo posted on social media a photo of a person he identified as the alleged gunman. No source was cited and no explanation was given about where the image came from, yet the post circulated quickly.
In cases like this, unverified images can influence public opinion and complicate investigations. They can affect witnesses, evidence, and even the rights of individuals if identities are shared prematurely. It is reasonable to ask whether information flow is coordinated and controlled.
Police Captain Bryan Rayoso said Tabdi is hands on the investigation being conducted by SITG Infante. He added that operations are ongoing to identify and arrest the suspect as soon as possible.
“Meron tayong personnel na nakatalaga sa pag-cyber patrol kaya nakakarating sa atin ang mga ganyang impormasyon at pinag-aaralan natin kung maaaring makatulong ito sa ating ginagawang imbestigasyon,” Rayoso said.
The assurance is noted. The public now looks for steady updates and visible progress.
Justice must be done. It must also be seen to be done.
I hope Jo does not allow the conscience of the one who masterminded her killing to rest. I hope she haunts those who know the real reason behind her killing.
