Former beauty queen in Isabela gunned down in front of children; Police manhunt launched

Tabuk City, Kalinga – A 32-year-old woman who used her voice to fight for what she believed was right was shot dead in front of her residence in Barangay Cabaritan, San Manuel, Isabela, on February 13, 2026, in an attack witnessed by her children.

The victim was identified by police as teacher Lullete Jane Ramilo-De Guzman, who was a runner-up in the Miss Philippines Earth 2013 pageant.

Reports obtained by national and local media outlets stated that Lullete had just arrived home that evening and remained inside their Toyota Fortuner with her children while her father stepped out of the vehicle to open their gate.

At around 6:45 p.m., an unidentified gunman riding a motorcycle without a license plate approached the vehicle and repeatedly fired at the victim inside. The assailant reportedly fled the scene immediately after the shooting.

Fortunately, the three children were not physically harmed in the incident but were left traumatized after witnessing their mother’s killing.

Grieving over what happened to his wife, Clifford Dela Cruz took to social media to describe Lullete as someone who consistently stood firm in her beliefs and defended others, particularly those who were hesitant to speak for themselves.

He said his wife was known for her courage in standing up for what was just and confronting wrongdoing despite the risks to her life.

“She was a fighter. She stood bravely for parents who were afraid to speak. She stood against bullying in school. She stood up to authority when others were too intimidated to do so. Now, her voice has been silenced—silenced by those who were offended by the truth she carried. But her courage will never be silenced. Her fight will never be forgotten. Justice for my wife,” Clifford wrote.

As of this writing, authorities are conducting an in-depth investigation to determine the identity of the suspect and the motive behind the killing.