Summary
Highlights
Aika Mojica, a 23-year-old with a promising future, became the victim of a brutal crime in July 2015. Her death, characterized by strangulation, shooting, and burning, deeply shook the nation and devastated her family. Her father, Josar Mojica, recounts Aika's kindness, generosity, and dreams of working abroad to support her family, emphasizing the heartbreaking loss of his beloved daughter.
On July 24, 2015, Aika attended her best friend Lian's birthday party. The next morning, her father, Mang Josar, realized she hadn't returned home. Growing increasingly worried, he searched for her among her friends. Two friends informed him that Aika had left the party early with another friend, 'Gina.' When Mang Josar visited Gina's house, her mother claimed not to know her whereabouts, stating she had gone to Pampanga. This heightened Mang Josar's anxiety, leading him to file a police report for Aika's disappearance.
On the same day Aika disappeared, July 25, 2015, a woman's body was found at Maculcol Bridge in San Felipe, Zambales. The body was partially burned and wearing pink clothes, with a watch, a gold necklace with a heart pendant, and braces—distinctive features. Authorities found three 9mm bullet casings, indicating the victim was shot. The burning of the body suggested an attempt to prevent identification. The police posted details and identifying marks, including tattoos, on social media to help identify the victim.
Mang Josar's eldest child saw the social media post about the body found in San Felipe, noting the victim's tattoos matched Aika's. Upon arriving at the funeral home, Mang Josar and his wife identified Aika by her 'Better Days' tattoo. The medico-legal report confirmed Aika was shot three times in the head, suffered third-degree burns, and showed signs of struggle. The family was overwhelmed with grief and rage, determined to find those responsible for the heinous crime.
Based on Mang Josar's statement, the investigation focused on Aika's last known companions at the party. It was discovered that Aika left the party with 'Gina.' When brought in for questioning, Gina identified Jonathan Dewayne Viane and Niño Dela Cruz as Aika's killers. Gina, Jonathan's current girlfriend, revealed that Jonathan had confessed to her, stating they 'killed Aika.' Gina recounted how Jonathan had texted her during the party to invite Aika to talk, and how Aika, feeling safe with familiar faces, went with Jonathan and Niño after the party.
The motive behind Aika's murder stemmed from Jonathan Viane's deep anger towards her. He suspected Aika, who was close to his ex-wife Liane, of being an informant for Liane regarding their child. Gina described how Jonathan picked her up the morning after the murder, panicking and crying, and admitted they had killed Aika. He told her not to worry as 'it was cleanly done.' Jonathan's statement to Liane – 'I’ll do something you’ll never forget. Every birthday, you’ll remember' – suggested his premeditated intent. Authorities recovered the rental car used, finding traces of blood. Jonathan and Niño were charged with murder, but Jonathan fled to the United States before his arrest warrant was issued.
Despite Jonathan's escape to the US, authorities relentlessly pursued him, enlisting Interpol and collaborating with the FBI and DOJ. Niño Dela Cruz voluntarily surrendered, admitting to tying Aika but denying involvement in her death. By May 2016, Jonathan was extradited to the Philippines, and the trial began. Both suspects pleaded 'not guilty' and blamed each other during the trial. Dela Cruz claimed Viane shot Aika, while Viane asserted Dela Cruz was the killer, describing how Dela Cruz strangled, punched, and eventually shot Aika. However, witnesses confirmed both Viane and Dela Cruz were Aika's last companions. On November 2, 2022, Jonathan Viane and Niño Dela Cruz were found guilty of murder and sentenced to life imprisonment, finally bringing justice for Aika. Niño Dela Cruz later died in prison, while Jonathan Dewayne Viane continues to serve his sentence.