In 2018, the quiet town of San Leonardo, Nueva Ecija woke to one of the most disturbing crimes in its history. Six members of the same household were found dead inside their modest home—an incident so shocking that it immediately dominated national headlines, prompted intense public debate, and raised painful questions about family conflict, emotional strain, and the devastating consequences of suppressed resentment.

Though early rumors speculated about drugs, debt, and criminal involvement, investigators later confirmed that none of these factors played any role. Instead, the tragedy stemmed from a deeply complicated and forbidden relationship, entangled emotions, and months of tension that built up quietly within the family’s walls.

A Family Trying to Rebuild

The Kabalyero family originally lived in Capas, Tarlac. The matriarch, 48-year-old Leonila Tesoro Kabalyero, raised her nine children alone after the early passing of their father. As the years went by, some of the siblings established their own families, while others remained in their mother’s home.

By 2016, five of them still lived with her:
– Jennifer, 30
– Seryo, 29
– Analyn, 19, and her partner Sunny Custodio
– Two children: 12-year-old Emmy and 10-year-old Joshua

Jennifer, already a mother, lived separately from her husband after he was incarcerated for undisclosed reasons. During her work as a resort tour guide, she encountered a foreigner who would later support her financially, allowing her to stop working.

The Kabalyero household lived modestly but peacefully. That peace would be disrupted by the arrival of a man named Jessie Tesoro—a stranger whose presence initially seemed like a warm reconnection with long-lost family.

The Arrival of a Relative No One Expected

In 2016, a man in his early thirties arrived at their home, introducing himself as Jessie, the son of Leonila’s estranged brother. The family welcomed him warmly, eager to reconnect after years of separation.

What followed, however, was a development no one anticipated. Despite being first cousins by blood, Jessie and Jennifer grew close—first through conversations, then through shared time, and eventually through an emotional attachment that crossed boundaries.

Family members noticed the growing closeness and intervened. They pleaded with Jennifer to distance herself and warned Jessie of the impropriety. But both insisted on their feelings, and despite objections, the relationship continued.

To preserve peace, the Kabalyero family reluctantly learned to accept the situation, even as discomfort lingered beneath the surface.

A New Beginning in Nueva Ecija

After two years of living together in Tarlac, Jennifer and Jessie joined the rest of the family in relocating to San Leonardo, Nueva Ecija in April 2018. The move was meant to offer a clean slate—away from gossip, criticism, and the judgment of neighbors aware of their unusual relationship.

At first, life seemed normal. Jessie briefly worked at a resort, then in a calamansi farm through the help of Jennifer’s sister. He was described as generally quiet, respectful, and helpful around the home.

But beneath the surface, tensions simmered.

The Night Before the Tragedy

Based on Jessie’s later confession and survivor testimony, April 21, 2018 began like an ordinary evening. Some family members were drinking, including Jennifer, her brother Seryo, and Sunny, the partner of her sister Analyn.

Jessie joined the group, but a heated argument unfolded when Jennifer allegedly asked him for money. He claimed he had none to give—a situation that reportedly triggered an exchange of hurtful words. The conflict escalated, and other family members intervened.

Jessie withdrew to their room, but the tension lingered. According to him, the argument—and the painful remarks that followed—continued to replay in his mind.

It was this emotional tipping point, he later stated, that drove him toward an irreversible decision.

The Tragic Early Morning

In the early hours of April 22, while the household slept, a man entered their rooms one by one.
Only one adult survived—Analyn, severely wounded but alive. Her testimony would later become crucial in identifying the suspect.

Two very young children also survived, simply because they were asleep and unnoticed in the chaos. They were immediately brought to safety when authorities arrived.

A tricycle driver later reported that around 4 a.m., he had transported a man—calm, freshly bathed, and headed toward the terminal for Tarlac. CCTV footage confirmed the driver’s account.

Identifying the Suspect

At first, police had a name—“Jessie”—but no face. Investigators retraced the suspect’s recent workplaces, including the resort where he previously worked, and from there they obtained a photo.

When shown the photo, the tricycle driver immediately recognized him.

Coordinated efforts between Nueva Ecija and Tarlac police soon led to a breakthrough. A community volunteer reported that Jessie had confided to him about harming people and that his actions would soon appear in the news. Alarmed, the volunteer immediately informed authorities.

Jessie Tesoro was arrested the same day.

A Full Confession

Jessie confessed without hesitation. He detailed the events leading up to the crime and cited deep emotional distress as the root of his actions—particularly the repeated arguments, financial pressure, and the family’s insistence that he and Jennifer end their relationship.

During questioning, investigators also revealed a heartbreaking discovery from the autopsy report: Jennifer was pregnant, and Jessie was believed to be the father. The revelation intensified Jessie’s remorse, though nothing could undo the irreversible damage.

Public Reaction

Once the story reached national media, the public was sharply divided. Many condemned the brutality of the act. Others, influenced by Jessie’s soft-spoken demeanor in interviews, speculated that he may have been overwhelmed or unable to manage emotional strain.

But the overwhelming consensus remained clear: no amount of emotional turmoil could justify the taking of innocent lives—including children and elders who had taken him in as family.

The Verdict

Within three months, the court handed down a verdict:
Guilty.
Jessie was sentenced to life imprisonment for multiple counts of murder and one count of frustrated murder.

The case closed swiftly, but the emotional scars left on the survivors, the extended family, and the community remain profound.

Lessons From a Dark Chapter

The 2018 San Leonardo tragedy is remembered not only for its shocking violence but also for the underlying forces that led to it—suppressed anger, unresolved conflict, emotional desperation, and the absence of support structures that might have addressed the tensions long before they spiraled out of control.

It is a painful reminder that words, when continually used to wound, can accumulate like pressure inside a sealed room. People who appear calm and gentle can reach breaking points when pushed repeatedly into emotional corners. And relationships built on secrecy and instability can place entire families at risk.

While no narrative can fully explain or justify what happened, understanding the roots of the tragedy may help prevent similar events. It stands as a somber warning about the importance of communication, emotional care, and addressing conflict before it erupts into irreversible harm.