I. PROLOGUE: THE TEEN MOM AND THE BUSINESSMAN

Roselyn Pioquinto (19) was a single mother living in Tondo, Manila. Life was hard, and her priority was her young daughter. In November 2022, a woman named Ria offered her a job at a computer shop owned by her partner, Bart Cariño (37). The pay was Php 700 a day—a lifeline for Roselyn. Bart, an established businessman in Barangay 128, took a liking to Roselyn.

Despite living with Ria, Bart pursued Roselyn. He proposed a polygamous setup: he would spend days with Roselyn and nights with Ria. Roselyn, financially dependent and perhaps manipulated by Bart’s initial kindness, agreed. Her brother, Belson, was shocked but felt helpless as Roselyn insisted she had no other choice.

II. THE CYCLE OF ABUSE

The honeymoon phase was short. Bart’s true colors emerged—he was pathologically jealous. He forbade Roselyn from talking to male customers. He isolated her from her friends. The verbal abuse escalated to physical violence.

The g*n Threat: In one instance, Bart pointed a g*n at Roselyn.

The De@th Threats: He threatened to k*ll her if she left. Roselyn endured the beatings for the sake of her child, trapped in a cycle of fear and dependency.

The Escape Attempts On June 5, 2023, Roselyn couldn’t take it anymore. She fled to her brother Belson’s house. Bart followed her. He played the repentant lover, begging on his knees, promising change. Against Belson’s advice, Roselyn returned to him, hoping to keep the peace.

It was a fatal mistake. The very next day, Bart fired his g*n in the bathroom to terrorize her. On the morning of June 7, Roselyn fled again to her brother. She wanted to file a police blotter. But once again, Bart intercepted them. He met them at their uncle’s house, crying, kneeling, and pleading for one last chance. Roselyn, perhaps out of pity or fear, agreed to talk.

III. THE M*rder (JUNE 7, 2023)

Back at their home in Building 1, Roselyn made her final stand. She told Bart it was over. She had met someone else (or claimed to) and wanted out. Bart refused to let her go. As Roselyn prepared to call her brother to pick her up, Bart grabbed his g*n.

The Sh00ting: Witnesses heard three g*nshots around 6:20 PM. A neighbor saw Bart exit the unit, tucking a g*n into his pocket. He calmly walked to his motorcycle and sped away. Inside, neighbors found Roselyn sprawled on the floor, bathed in blood. She was de@d on arrival.

IV. THE MANHUNT AND SURRENDER

Bart didn’t just run; he confessed—but not to the police initially. He told his other partner, Ria, what he had done. Ria, to her credit, went straight to the barangay authorities. June 8, 2023 (Dawn): Realizing there was nowhere to hide, Bart surrendered to the Norzagaray Police Station in Bulacan.

He claimed he surrendered there because he feared retaliation from Roselyn’s family in Tondo. He was transferred back to Manila. When Belson saw his sister’s k*ller at the station, he lunged at him in a fit of grief and rage. Bart remained silent, showing no remorse.

V. THE CONFESSION AND MOTIVE

In custody, Bart admitted to the k*lling. His defense? “Nabigla lang ako” (I was just shocked/it was a spur of the moment). He claimed he k*lled her because he loved her too much to let her go.

Police charged him with m*rder. The investigation revealed a history of premeditated control. He had the g*n ready. He had threatened her life before. This wasn’t a “snap” decision; it was the culmination of months of abuse.

VI. CONCLUSION: THE TRAGEDY OF POVERTY AND CONTROL

Roselyn Pioquinto’s life was cut short at 19. Her daughter is now an orphan. Her story highlights the intersection of poverty and vulnerability.

She entered a complicated relationship out of financial necessity, only to be trapped by a man who viewed her as property. Bart Cariño sits in jail, but his incarceration cannot undo the three bullets that silenced a young mother’s dreams. It serves as a stark reminder: When an abuser threatens to k*ll, believe them the first time.