MANILA, Philippines — Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. has ordered a full-scale, nationwide manhunt following two unrelated fatal shootings that occurred on Friday night, February 13, 2026.
The attacks, which targeted a schoolteacher in Isabela and an electric cooperative official in Oriental Mindoro, have drawn strong condemnation from the top police leadership. “Strong words of condemnation against these cowardly attacks are not enough,” Nartatez said in a statement. “We will focus on identifying and arresting all those involved… in the interest of justice and the rule of law.”
The Victims
- Lullete Jane Ramilo-De Guzman (Isabela): A 32-year-old schoolteacher and former Miss Philippines Earth 2013 contestant. She was shot multiple times outside her residence in San Manuel, Isabela, while her children were inside her vehicle. The gunman, riding a motorcycle without a license plate, fled the scene eastward.
- Tony Mendeja (Oriental Mindoro): A 64-year-old director of the Oriental Mindoro Electric Cooperative (Ormeco). He was shot in Pinamalayan while returning from a solar lights project ceremony. Mendeja died from a 9mm caliber gunshot wound after pulling over to inspect his vehicle’s lights.
Investigation and Rewards
- Isabela Bounty: San Manuel Mayor Faustino “Dondon” Dy IV has offered a P50,000 reward from his personal funds for information leading to the arrest of De Guzman’s killers.
- Regional Directives: Nartatez has tasked the regional directors of Cagayan Valley (Region II) and Mimaropa (Region IV-B) to prioritize these cases, uncover the motives, and identify the suspects.
- Enhanced Operations: Commanders nationwide have been instructed to increase police visibility, set up strategic checkpoints, and intensify the crackdown on unlicensed firearms under the “Enhanced Managing Police Operations” framework.
Context of Recent Violence
The PNP is under heightened pressure following several violent incidents involving law enforcement and high-profile figures. Last month, a policewoman and her son were found dead in separate provinces (Bulacan and Tarlac), and another policeman’s body was recovered from a septic tank in Bulacan.
The current manhunt is in direct response to instructions from President Marcos and Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla to ensure swift justice for victims of violent crimes and to address the presence of repeat offenders and illegal weaponry in the country.