Police say a 20-year-old student lost her life over 10,000 pesos.
That is about 170 US dollars. Her name was Jazmine Iya Martinez. She studied architecture in Lipa City, Batangas. Her remains were found in Barangay Duhatan. CCTV showed a man on a motorcycle following her along the road. Twelve days later, police arrested the rider, known as Alias Lance, who admitted the crime.
He told police he received 10,000 pesos from a man called Alias Kevin, and that Kevin threatened him if he talked. Police say Kevin courted her for two years. He denies involvement. These are allegations. A court has not ruled.
Her parents did not know anyone was pursuing her.
Her father said she never told them, because she paid the man no attention.
How Much is a Life Worth
Reporters and police have published many prices over the years.
10,000 pesos in this case.
20,000 pesos in Central Luzon, with a 1,000 peso down payment, according to police sources.
50,000 to 150,000 pesos per job, alleged against a Batangas group.
A columnist reported that buying a paid operative's silence could run about 5 million pesos.
See the links below for details.
almost always a trail of evidence, but it doesn’t bring anyone back.
CCTV from a barangay and a construction site helped police identify the rider. He surrendered clothes, a blade, a phone, and a motorcycle. A confession followed within two weeks.
THE LAW
The person who pays is treated as the principal.
In US terms, picture conspiracy and solicitation, except the payer faces the same charge as the one who did it. Philippine courts have imposed reclusion perpetua, the life sentence, for a killing committed for a price. In a 1998 Supreme Court case, a man accused of paying a 1,000 peso reward was convicted as principal.
WARNING SIGNS
Pursuit continues after a clear refusal.
Gifts, messages, or visits keep escalating.
Anger or threats follow rejection.
A repeated motorcycle, vehicle, or person appears near home, school, or other places you frequent.
Friends or relatives of the pursuer ask about your schedule
WHAT TO DO
For Women:
Tell parents, a guardian, or a trusted adult, even if it feels small.
Keep screenshots and messages.
Report persistent unwanted attention to the barangay and the police. Ask for the Women and Children Protection Desk.
Tell the school.
Change routes and times. Share your location with someone you trust.
If a vehicle follows you, go to a busy place and call 911, the national emergency number.
Do not confront the person alone.
For us old guys:
Don’t play rich guy
Be careful who you let in you home
Don’t toss boxes for expensive other on street for pickup
Don’t keep a safe.
Be nice when possible
Don’t get stupid drunk when out
SUMMARY
Be nice and understand life is cheap here. You have been warned.
CITATIONS
GMA News, 20-year-old architecture student in Lipa City, October 26, 2026: https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/regions/1007251/20-year-old-architecture-student-killed-in-crime-of-passion-in-lipa-city/story/
GMA News Filipino-language report on the same case: https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/ulatfilipino/1007250/kolehiya-sa-lipa-batangas-ipinatumba-umano-ng-manliligaw-sa-halagang-p10k-2-suspek-huli-na/story/
Philstar, 2010, hired gun rate of 20,000 pesos in Central Luzon: https://www.philstar.com/nation/2010/05/26/578097/hired-guns-charge-p20000-victim
GMA News, PNP statement on going rates (older, undated): https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/24325/pnp-going-rate-for-hired-killers-p20-000-up/story
Inquirer, 2014, Batangas gun-for-hire group: https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/564673/gun-for-hire-gang-busted-in-batangas/amp
Philstar editorial, June 26, 2025: https://www.philstar.com/opinion/2025/06/26/2453346/editorial-guns-hire/amp/
Philstar column, 2022, price of silence: https://philstar.com/opinion/2022/10/21/2218145/murder-inc
Human Rights Watch, 2019: https://www.hrw.org/news/2019/07/09/bloody-sunday-philippines
Supreme Court, People v. Tanilon (G.R. No. 125319, 1998), payer convicted as principal by inducement: https://batasnatin.com/digest/case-digest-people-of-the-phil-vs-huga-c-tanilon-gr-no-125319-july-27-1998