Alfie Anido was a popular Filipino actor and model in the late 1970s and early 1980s. He was one of the Regal Babies, a group of young stars who were launched by Regal Films, a leading film production company in the Philippines. He starred in several movies, such as Temptation Island, Katorse, Blue Jeans, and Bilibid Boys. He was also famously linked with actress Dina Bonnevie, his co-star in Temptation Island.
However, his promising career and life came to an abrupt end on December 30, 1981, the night of his 22nd birthday. He was found dead in his home in Bel-Air, Makati, with a gunshot wound in his head. A revolver and a suicide note were found beside him. The official version of his death was that he committed suicide due to depression and drug abuse. However, many people doubted this explanation and speculated that he was actually murdered by someone who had a grudge against him.
The Official Version: Suicide
According to the official version of Alfie Anido’s cause of death, he killed himself after having a heated argument with his girlfriend, Katrina Ponce Enrile, the daughter of then Defense Minister Juan Ponce Enrile. The couple had been dating for about a year and had gone to Antipolo to celebrate Anido’s birthday with some friends. However, Anido allegedly drank heavily and fell asleep before the guests arrived. When Katrina tried to wake him up, he got angry and yelled at her. He also hit her when she wanted to leave. Katrina managed to escape and drove back to Manila with two friends. Anido followed her in his car and drove recklessly. He dropped her off at her home in Dasmariñas Village and cursed her out. He then went back to his home in Bel-Air.
The couple continued to argue over the phone and Katrina told him that she wanted to break up with him. Anido became more depressed and decided to end his life. He wrote a suicide note that read: “I love you very much but I can’t take it anymore. Please forgive me.” He then shot himself in the head with a .38 caliber revolver that he had borrowed from his father.
The police investigated his death and concluded that it was suicide after examining his body, the gun, the suicide note, and the testimonies of his family members and some medical personnel who first attended to him on the night of his death.
The Alternative Version: Murder
However, not everyone believed that Alfie Anido’s cause of death was suicide. Many people suspected that he was actually murdered by someone who had a motive to kill him. The most popular rumor was that he was killed by Jack Enrile, the brother of Katrina Ponce Enrile, who was allegedly jealous of their relationship. Jack Enrile was also rumored to have connections with some powerful people in the Marcos regime, such as General Fabian Ver, the chief of staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.
The rumor claimed that Jack Enrile shot Anido at close range after finding out that he had broken up with Katrina. He then staged the scene to look like a suicide and used his influence to cover up the truth. Some people also pointed out some inconsistencies and anomalies in the official version of Anido’s death, such as:
- The position of the gun and the bullet wound did not match.
- The suicide note was written in English, which was not Anido’s native language.
- The handwriting on the suicide note did not match Anido’s handwriting.
- The gun used by Anido was not registered under his name or his father’s name.
- The police did not conduct a paraffin test or a ballistic test on Anido’s body or the gun.
- The police did not interview any witnesses or suspects other than Anido’s family members.
- The media did not report much about Anido’s death or follow up on the investigation.
These rumors were fueled by the political climate at the time, which was marked by repression and corruption under the Marcos dictatorship. Many people distrusted the government and its officials and believed that they were capable of committing crimes and hiding them from the public.
The Conclusion: Unsolved
Despite the controversy and speculation surrounding Alfie Anido’s cause of death, no conclusive evidence or official statement has ever been released to prove or disprove either version. Jack Enrile has denied any involvement in Anido’s death and has maintained that it was suicide. Katrina Ponce Enrile has also confirmed that Anido took drugs and committed suicide, according to an interview she gave in 2014.
Anido’s family has never spoken publicly about his death or challenged the official version. His parents have passed away and his brother Albert Anido has also become an actor. Anido’s grave is located at the Manila Memorial Park in Sucat, Parañaque.
Anido’s death remains one of the most mysterious and tragic cases in Philippine showbiz history. He was a talented and handsome star who had a bright future ahead of him. He was also a victim of his own demons and the dark forces that surrounded him. His death left many questions unanswered and many hearts broken. He will always be remembered as the matinee idol who died too young.
