The pursuit of justice often begins in the aftermath of a brutal crime. On September 10, 2023, the quiet of the early morning in Pasay City was violently interrupted by gunfire that fatally wounded a woman in the street.

The victim was identified as Erica (alias, 41), a local sex worker. Her devastating passing quickly became a stark reminder of the dangers faced by those living and working on the margins of society.

The Unseen Life of Erica

Erica’s life was one marked by necessity and quiet sacrifice. She was the sole sister among five siblings, who had, by circumstance, entrusted her own child to the care of a relative.

While her family knew she worked hard to survive, they were largely unaware of the true nature of her profession, which she kept hidden behind a veil of silence and distance.

The Pasay City Police quickly launched a homicide investigation after Erica was found on San Juan Street, tragically suffering a fatal projectile wound to the abdomen.

CCTV footage became the critical piece of evidence, not only revealing the chilling final minutes of Erica’s life but also exposing the volatile and dangerous world in which she operated.

The investigation soon revealed that the violence was not random but stemmed from a volatile financial dispute rooted in a previous intimate encounter.

The Stolen Money and the Motive

The tragic chain of events began just one day earlier, on September 9. Erica and her partner, Karen, had checked into a motel with a customer.

That customer, who would later be identified as the primary suspect, was Gelbert Alvios Puerto (alias Boss B). Boss B was known as a local music vlogger with a following, but investigators soon discovered a much darker side to his identity.

Authorities determined that the motive for the fatal confrontation was rooted in theft and robbery: Boss B claimed Erica had stolen a significant amount of money from him during their encounter the night before, and he had returned on the 10th for revenge, which quickly escalated into homicide.

The confrontation occurred in the early hours of September 10 near a motel. Boss B and his accomplice, Joshua Gabriel Albior (25), arrived on a motorcycle, confronting Erica and her partners.

CCTV captured the two groups engaged in a tense negotiation over prices for services—a fragile prelude to the violence that was about to erupt. The suspects offered PHP 3,000 for three people, while Erica’s group countered the offers.

The Fatal Misfire

The negotiation abruptly turned deadly when the suspects attempted to open fire. Joshua Albior, the backrider, first pulled his weapon and aimed at Erica’s he@d.

Miraculously, the weapon misfired, emitting a deafening click instead of a shot. This near-miss provided Erica and her partners a desperate, split-second chance to flee.

As Erica ran, Boss B pulled out his own .45 caliber weapon and fired, hitting Erica in the back/abdomen. Erica managed to stagger a few more meters before finally collapsing in the street, tragically succumbing to her injuries.

The shooters, identified by Karen, were quickly traced. Boss B’s background was alarming: a self-proclaimed vlogger with alleged connections to “gun-for-hire” activities. He was already wanted by Bacoor police for another homicide case, highlighting a terrifying pattern of violence.

Authorities acted swiftly. Joshua Gabriel Albior, the backrider and driver, was apprehended. He confessed to being the driver/lookout for Boss B, and was found in possession of a bladed weapon.

Joshua, now charged with murder and illegal weapon possession, confirmed that the gunman, Boss B, was indeed the one who fired the fatal shot.

The Manhunt for the Vlogger Gunman

The Pasay City Police launched an intensive manhunt for the primary suspect, Gelbert “Boss B” Puerto, who remains at large, having vanished shortly after the crime.

Erica’s brother, Arnel, who was devastated by the news of her passing, pleaded publicly for the suspect to surrender, stating that the family only seeks the truth and justice for their sister.

The investigation uncovered the tragic irony of Erica’s life: a quiet woman thrust into a world of extreme danger, where a financial dispute could instantly escalate into an act of irreversible violence.

The case remains a haunting testament to the fragility of life on the margins of society, where justice often has to fight through layers of corruption and criminal desperation.