In 2008, 25-year-old Preya Alcantara was found dead inside a condominium unit in Cebu City. She was a college student studying at a prominent university in the city. According to initial reports from authorities, the cause of her death appeared to be an overdose or suicide. There was no sign of forced entry into the unit and most of the contents inside were in good condition.

But while examining the place, investigators noticed expensive clothes, jewelry, and other items that would not normally be appropriate for a student with limited funds. So as the investigation began, dark details in Preya’s life were gradually revealed that would secretly link her to a mysterious man who introduced himself as Marco Antonio.

So that’s what we’re going to talk about or this case today, friends. This is what happened. Preya Alcantara was born and raised in a simple family in Bohol. Her father was a public school teacher. While her mother worked as an employee in the municipality. Even as a child, Preya was known for being smart and diligent in her studies.

Because of her hard work, she was able to get into a prestigious university in Cebu and became the first member of her family to study in the city. Her parents had high hopes that one day this would change their lives. For Preya, graduating from college was not just a personal dream but a responsibility she had to fulfill for her family.

By 2008, Preya Alcantara was busy with her studies at the university in Cebu. She was taking a course related to computer studies and was among the students who were often praised by her professors for her hard work and high grades. Aside from attending classes, she spent a lot of time in the library to keep up with projects and exams.

She also made some close friends who became her companions throughout her student life. Despite the fatigue and hardship, she remained determined because she believed that education would be the key to lifting her family out of poverty and giving her a better future. Despite her good performance in academics, the expenses in Cebu gradually became a burden for Preya.

Because as a woman, she also has many needs. She has to pay for her room rent, food, transportation, projects, and other school needs. The money her parents send is often very little because they have other expenses at home. She is also embarrassed to ask for extra help because she knows that her family is also struggling to save money.

There were times when she only ate once a day or she prioritized school expenses before her own needs. As the months passed, she felt the weight of the financial problem more. During Preya’s difficult times, her boyfriend, Mark Larpina, was with her through most of the trials.

He is also a student in Cebu and comes from a simple family. They have known each other for a long time before entering college and have long dreamed of graduating to have a good job one day. Mark loves Preya very much and does everything to support her even though her abilities are limited. He often accompanies her in her studies and gives her courage whenever she loses hope.

But like Preya, he is also short of money so he cannot provide for many of his girlfriend’s financial needs. Because they are still in the same situation before. Preya understands that, so sometimes Preya can think of a way to get out because she knows that Mark is just her boyfriend. Therefore, she has no obligation to provide for her education because she is only asking her parents.

Until one afternoon after her class, Preya went to an internet cafe near the university to finish an important project. But because she was short of money, she had difficulty paying for the time it took her to complete her work. While worrying, she was noticed by a well-dressed man who appeared to be in his mid-40s. He approached and introduced himself as Marco Antonio, a businessman who often came to Cebu for his transactions.

He offered to pay for Preya’s remaining time at the computer shop as a simple favor. Preya thanked him and thought he was just a kind stranger. Little did she know that this was the beginning of a dangerous relationship. Marco Antonio took Preya’s cellphone number because he said that there might be a vacancy in his company and he could get Preya if she wanted to work or do a part-time job on the days she wasn’t in school.

"Anak, alam ko na mahirap maging estudyante dahil isipin mo na nag-aaral ka at nagbabayad ng matrikula ngunit wala kang kabuhayan para suportahan ito. Dati rin akong ganoon, kaya naiintindihan kita," said the man who introduced himself as Mr. Marco Antonio. And with his sweet words, as if understanding the life the young woman had, Preya immediately gave her cellphone number.

After their first meeting, Marco Antonio didn’t disappear from Preya’s life right away. Just a few days later, he texted to check on her project and studies, as if he were a caring father. Preya was surprised that the man still remembered her. In the following weeks, Marco occasionally invited her for coffee or to eat at decent restaurants in Cebu.

At every meeting, he listened to her problems regarding her studies and lack of money. When Marco learned of the hardships she was going through, he voluntarily gave her money for books and school expenses, explaining that it was just help for a student with a bright future because Marco also ignored what Preya was going through.

But what Preya doesn’t know is that this is part of the manipulation of human emotions or a psychological technique to gain the sympathy and trust of a woman or person. And because of the kindness and support he shows, Preya’s trust in the man who introduced himself as Marco Antonio increases even more. As the weeks pass, Preya and Marco Antonio spend more time together.

The man always took the girl to expensive restaurants, coffee shops, and places she only saw in magazines and on television. Marco also often told stories about his business success and the people he met in different parts of the country. With each story, he made Preya feel that he understood her dreams and challenges as a student far away from her family.

Preya also gradually began to ask for advice about her studies and future. In her mind, she had found someone who was willing to help without asking for anything in return. She didn’t realize that the trust that Marco Antonio had been planning for a long time had gradually been built since the first day they met.

In the following months, Preya’s life changed dramatically. From a student who saved every cent, she began to own things she couldn’t afford before. Marco Antonio gave her a new cellphone, expensive clothes, and enough money so that she no longer had to worry about her daily expenses. Whenever there was a project or a school fee, it was met immediately.

Preya gradually gets a taste of a life that is far from what she is used to. As the help she receives increases, she feels more grateful and indebted to Marco. And that is the trap that Marco has set in Preya’s mind and actions. Until one day,  "Mark, busy ako. Pasensya ka na, baby. Busy lang ako sa mga bagay sa buhay ko," Preya texts her boyfriend because at the same time that Preya is getting closer to Marco Antonio, she is also gradually moving away from Mark Larpina.

They used to see each other and talk almost every day, but the time she spent with her boyfriend began to decrease. He often made excuses about projects, studies, or opportunities with important people that he needed to talk to for his future. Mark noticed that Preya’s behavior also changed when he asked Marco questions.  "Mabilis siyang mainis o iniiwasan ang usapan." Unbeknownst to Mark, an older man was already flirting with his girlfriend.

Then Preya’s clothing also changed. If she used to look like Maria Clara when she was just starting university, now Preya wears short dresses. Her chest is now visible and she wears shorts that often show her navel and chest to the point where you can almost see her soul.

It’s as if modern times are changing Preya and every time Mark notices or criticizes her,  "Pakshet, hindi mo pa ako asawa, isusuot ko ang gusto ko!" she angrily tells her boyfriend as if she’s proud of something in life.  "Hindi naman sa nakikialam ako sa iyo, babe. Ang punto ko lang, kung gusto mong respetuhin ka ng mga kalalakihan o ng ibang tao, dapat kang magdamit nang may respeto," Mark’s reasoning is correct, of course.

"Wala silang pakialam! Sila ba ang nagpapakain sa akin? Sila ba ang nagbabayad ng mga damit ko para makapagbihis ako ayon sa kanilang pamantayan? Hinding-hindi," Preya said that she was very philosophical. Mark just shook his head. Because Preya wasn’t like that before. But even so, her boyfriend still tried to understand her.

Until one day, Marco Antonio offered her a place to live in a condo unit near the university she attended. After Preya moved into the condominium, Marco even bought her some things. It was as if Preya had a rich life back then. Preya was no longer the average person she was before, she had become practical in life.

Because if you haven’t asked, Marco is already riding Preya. That means they’re already sleeping together. A good life in exchange for Preya’s fresh tilapia. And the sad thing is, Preya is okay with that. Because at least, she’s not struggling anymore. She only opens the door when Marco comes to her condo. She’s already struggled before. She still has money. I guess that’s her principle.

But what made the situation worse was that Mark was still her boyfriend. And Mark didn’t know that Preya was being eaten by her sugar daddy who introduced himself as Marco. But as Marco and Preya’s relationship deepened because something was happening to them, Marco Antonio’s behavior began to change, he often asked who her friends were, where she was going, and what time she would be home. When she didn’t answer calls or messages right away, it showed annoyance and frustration.

He also gradually advised Preya to reduce her interactions with people who would not help her future. Preya, on the other hand, always followed Marco like a puppy. Because if you don’t know, friends, listen up because this is a lesson for those who don’t know. There is a name for the type of person who introduced himself as Marco Antonio. In psychology, this may be part of what is called a groomer. This is the most appropriate term. It gradually gains the victim’s trust. It gives gifts, help, attention. This is later used to control the victim and get what they really want from him.

And that’s exactly what happened to Preya because she became a pokpok without even realizing it. On the other hand, Marco can also be called a Predator. A broader term. It deliberately chooses vulnerable people. For example, Preya is still young and a student. It studies the victim’s weakness before attacking. This person who introduced himself as Marco is the type of person that Preya is unaware of.

Marco watched Preya closely for the next few months. He often knew where she was even if she didn’t tell him. He knew who her companions were and how long she spent in each place. Marco explained that he was only doing it for her safety because she lived alone in the city. Because Preya was still trusting, he ignored these strange occurrences.

But as time went by, she began to wonder how the man knew things he hadn’t shared with anyone. And Preya noticed some things that didn’t match Marco’s stories. There were times when he told her different things about his business and the source of his wealth. Sometimes she would hear calls that would immediately cut off when she approached.

She also began to wonder why he seemed reluctant to meet with his family and friends. Until one day, according to Preya’s story to her boyfriend Mark Larpina, Marco Antonio left his laptop at Preya’s condominium. While she was waiting for him to return, a message appeared from a woman asking for money that was allegedly promised to her.

Suspicious, Preya checked the contents of the laptop. There she discovered folders containing photos, records of money transfers, and details about other young women her age. This meant that Preya was not the only one this man had in his possession. There were many. There were many of them.

And this is the pattern of this demonic man. In the documents that Preya saw, she discovered that there were several women in a situation very similar to hers. Most of them were students or young people in need of money. Marco’s strategy was also consistent. First was financial assistance. Next were gifts, housing, and finally control and the claim of their femininity.

There were also records of women who suddenly disappeared from his documents and were never mentioned again. As she read the details, she realized that Marco had been using this modus operandi, this type of deception on women, for a long time. Preya was even more shocked when she discovered that there were secret videos and photos of naked women.

Sometimes there was even a video of Marco having sex with another woman, the kind that looked scandalous. And Marco was serious because he was riding with women aged 19 to 23. She also saw messages where Marco used those materials to intimidate some of his victims. That is, it was like blackmail. For example,  "Ipapakita ko itong mga sex video nating dalawa sa iyong mga kakilala. Tingnan ko lang kung may mukha ka pang maihaharap sa publiko." Those are some of the contents of Marco’s email. There were threats that the photos would be sent to family, school, or people close to them if they tried to leave or report it. There, Preya completely understood why many women remained silent despite what they had been through with Marco Antonio.

After seeing all the evidence, Preya was restless for several days. She wanted to go back to her province and forget everything, and even planned to ask Mark Larpina to come back to her. But here Preya made a mistake because according to the investigators’ reenactment, Preya and Carmelo met at the condominium a few days after her discovery.

He directly said that he already knew about the documents, the women, and the secret videos. And Preya also said that Marco Antonio’s real name is Carmelo Dayot. This means that the name that this man introduced was a lie from the beginning. At first, Carmelo denied everything and said that he did not understand what he saw. But when Preya mentioned some of the details on the laptop, his reaction changed.

His words became cold and he tried to scare Preya into silence. However, his determination to expose the truth was strong. But the Carmelo we met earlier could not accept Marco. During their argument, Carmelo became more aggressive. He was afraid that all his secrets would be revealed and the life he had built for a long time and his pretense would be ruined.

When Preya refused to back down from her plan to report the incident, their conversation turned into a physical confrontation. They fought. Preya was deeply wounded because Carmelo had touched her before. But that wasn’t what killed Preya. What Carmelo did was worse than evil. Carmelo overdosed Preya on drugs until she died.

After the incident, Carmelo tried to erase evidence that would link him to Preya’s death. He cleaned parts of the condominium and arranged the scene to make it look like Preya committed suicide or died of drugs. He also removed several things that could raise suspicions among the authorities. In his mind, like in previous cases, he would once again escape his legal responsibility.

But there was evidence that he couldn’t see and couldn’t get rid of. So when Preya’s body was found dead, the authorities immediately began an investigation. While examining the scene, they noticed some details that didn’t match the initial case report. Information and documents that Preya had hidden before her death were also found.

Gradually, the picture of her relationship with the person who introduced herself as Marco Antonio, whose real name is Carmelo Dayot, emerged. And this name, according to the police, is involved in the sale of illegal drugs. That means, what he says about Preya’s business is illegal. He does not have a meaningful job.

As investigators followed the video and photo records, they also found a video of Preya and Carmelo having sex that appeared to have been captured on a hidden camera. Preya was still on top of Marco while they were both naked. And when the autopsy results on Preya’s body came out, the medico-legal discovered the needle mark on Preya’s arm and the presence of drugs that she did not normally use.

Investigators also noticed that parts of the condominium had been recently cleaned. Due to the weight of evidence pointing to Carmelo Dayot alias Marco Antonio, he was immediately taken to a hotel along with a female victim. He was charged with murder under Article 248 of the Revised Penal Code.

After the trial, Carmelo was found guilty and sentenced to reclusion perpetua or life imprisonment without parole. Meanwhile, Preya returned home to Bohol, but her parents were greeted only with tears of grief because Preya was a cold corpse when she returned home with Mark Larpina holding only a picture of Preya.