NAPOLCOM: Complaint filed vs cop over Negros Occidental businesswoman's death

A complaint was filed with the National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM) on Wednesday against a police officer in connection with the death of a businesswoman in Negros Occidental.

Siblings of 42-year-old single mom Kristine Joy Dignadice — Salvador Joshua Dignadice Jr. and Mary Grace Arcenas — personally went to the NAPOLCOM office to file the complaint.

“Nandito po tayo ngayon dahil nag-file na po ng complaint ang dalawa pong kapatid ni Kristine Joy Dignadice. Siya po yung natagpuang patay sa sugarcane plantation sa Bago City, Negros Occidental,” NAPOLCOM vice chairperson and executive officer Ralph Calinisan said at a press conference.

(We are here today because the two siblings of Kristine Joy Dignadice have filed a complaint. She was the one found dead in a sugarcane plantation in Bago City, Negros Occidental.)

On October 29, Joshua said her sister went missing. Kristine’s car with bloodstains was discovered abandoned in Hinigaran town, according to the police.

Salvador Joshua said that on October 30, the cop went to their house introducing himself as the alleged boyfriend of Kristine Joy. The cop allegedly apologized to them because he was not able to accompany Kristine.

On November 2, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said the police officer has surrendered to authorities as a suspect, which led to the discovery of Kristine’s body.

Salvador Joshua said the cop was claiming that the death of Kristine was just an accident.

“Pilit ‘yung tanong ko sa kanya, sabi niya, aksidente lang daw. And then, sinabi niya sa akin doon na nobyo siya raw ng kapatid ko. And pumutok daw yung baril kasi tinapik ng kapatid ko yung kamay niya,” he said.

(I asked him questions, he said it was just an accident. And then, he told me that he was my sister's boyfriend. And the gun went off because my sister hit his hand.)

“Which does not really make sense kasi yung tama ng kapatid ko is sa right shoulder, tumagos po yung bala sa leeg. So, hindi ko matanggap yung mga sinabi niya sa akin,” he added.

(Which doesn't really make sense because my sister was hit in the right shoulder, the bullet went through her neck. So, I can't accept what he told me.)

Before the complaint, the NAPOLCOM on November 2 already launched a motu proprio investigation into the incident. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News