How One Filipino Family’s Act of Kindness Led to Double Murders that Shocked the World | The Story of the Maguad Sibling Murders

Lovella Maguad, Facebook

The tragic and shocking Maguad sibling murders shook the Philippines in late 2021, igniting intense discussion not only in the local community but also within the Filipino diaspora.  The case, which seemed like a textbook home invasion gove wrong, quickly unraveled into a chilling crime of betrayal that centered on the family's adopted daughter, Janice. This case resonates deeply, especially among Filipinos abroad, as it touches on themes of familial pressure, social stigma, and hidden trauma—not to mention the Philippines’ justice system, all while shedding light on broader conversations about mental health and adoption.

On December 10, 2021, in the small, quiet town of M'lang in North Cotabato, the gruesome discovery of the lifeless bodies of two young Maguad siblings sent shockwaves through the community. Their adoptive parents, prominent figures in the area (both were educators at a local high school), had left the children home alone, only to return and find their children brutally murdered in their own home. What initially seemed like a senseless act of violence by intruders soon took a darker turn as evidence began to mount.

Janice Sebial, the family’s adopted daughter, was the sole survivor, initially claiming that she had hidden during the attack. She presented herself as a terrified victim who narrowly escaped. However, investigators soon discovered a bag containing bloody clothes near the crime scene—clothes that would later implicate Janice and her alleged accomplice in the murders.

As investigations progressed, Janice eventually confessed to her involvement in the brutal killings of her adopted siblings. The confession shocked not only the local community but Filipinos around the world. Speculation about her motive pointed to deep-seated resentment and sibling rivalry, with unconfirmed reports suggesting that Janice struggled with feelings of inferiority and emotional neglect.

The case has sparked significant media attention and online discussions, as the gruesome details unfolded. Filipinos, both in the Philippines and abroad, grappled with the complex emotions surrounding the tragedy, especially considering the nature of the family dynamic. Janice’s role as the adopted daughter adds a layer of complexity to an already tragic situation, raising questions about the impact of social stigma surrounding adoption, especially in traditional Filipino families.

How the Crime Unfolded

Cruz Maguad, the father, a high school teacher, rushed home after receiving a call about a break-in, only to find a bloody scene. His children, Gwynn (18 years old) and her younger brother Crizzule (16), had been brutally murdered. Gwynn had bruises and stab wounds, while Crizzule was tied up and also stabbed multiple times in the torso and on the face. Around the crime scene, police found broken bottles, a hammer, and a baseball bat.

Suspicion eventually grew around Janice, the family’s adopted daughter. She had only started calling Mr. and Mrs. Maguad “Mama” and “Papa” on the day of the murders and knew exactly where the hammer was kept. Despite her claim that three men had entered the house, her story didn’t align with the crime scene evidence. She posted for help on Facebook (interestingly enough, investigators found the time stamps of the post to have happened much later than the actual times of death) during the murders but did not respond when people called her or responded to the message to help. Investigators also found that it was unlikely the intruders wouldn’t have noticed her hiding under the bed, given the state of her room and the rest of the home.

A few days later on December 16, Janice finally came clean and confessed to her role in the murders, citing jealousy and anger as motives. She admitted she had the help of two accomplices, including her boyfriend, who remains currently remains uncharged. 

Adopted Daughter ot the Maguads, "Janice Sebial", Facebook

Cruz Maguad later revealed during interview that he had noticed prior to the murders that Janice had increasingly been struggling with jealousy towards Gwynn and “wanted to take her place in the family”. Janice, adopted only five months prior, had been portrayed as an orphan, but it later emerged that her biological parents and siblings were still alive. Chillingly, he also recalled she had an odd obsession for the thriller movie The Orphan, which features a similar story of a child adopted into a family who turns out to be a dangerous manipulator and killer.

As of today, Janice is still in the custody of the Department of Social Welfare and Development and has not officially been sentenced due to some technicalities about her being a juvenile.

A Diasporic Conversation about Trauma, Child Abandonment and Family Dynamics

As news of the crime spread, so did the conversation among the Filipino diaspora outside the Philippines. In many Filipino households, both in the Philippines and abroad, family is the cornerstone of identity. Bloodline, loyalty, and unity are often held up as cultural values that reinforce a family's strength, sometimes, much to its detriment and yet, it is estimated by non-government organization Philippines Without Orphans that there are around 5 to 7 million abandoned, neglected, or orphaned children in the country while only about 237 Filipino children are adopted each year.

The stigma surrounding adoption in Filipino culture further complicates matters, often leading to feelings of isolation or inferiority for adopted children. Janice’s confession, paired with the violence of the crime, forced many to reflect on how mental health and emotional struggles within families are often swept under the rug.

This tragic event offers a moment of reflection for Filipino communities worldwide and so many questions remain.

How can families confront issues of jealousy, rivalry, and trauma before they spiral into something more destructive? How can we overcome the societal paradox of helping the child abandonment epidemic while at the same time battling the stigma of adoption for both parents and adoptees? The case of the Maguad siblings raises uncomfortable but necessary questions about family dynamics that deserve open dialogue, not only with Filipinos in the homeland but within the Filipino diaspora.

Could it be time to confront the deeply ingrained stigma surrounding adoption in the Philippines?

For Janice, adopted out of love, that love tragically transformed into resentment, driven by insecurities and a sense of perceived favoritism. This case is a sobering reminder that the emotional complexities of adopted children are often misunderstood or overlooked. It begs the question: is Filipino society ready to truly embrace adoptive families on equal footing with biological ones, without the lingering cultural bias that can affect family dynamics?

As of today, Janice and her accomplice, continue to remain in the custody of the the Department of Social Welfare’s safe house in Mlang and Kidapawan City despite their conviction. 

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