NAPOLCOM launches probe into killings of policewoman, son

The National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM) has launched an administrative investigation into the deaths of Police Senior Master Sergeant Diane Marie Mollenido and her eight-year-old son, John Ysmael, amid suspicions that a police officer may be involved.

NAPOLCOM Vice Chairperson and Executive Officer Rafael Vicente Calinisan said he ordered the probe after Diane’s ex-husband and the child’s father, Police Senior Master Sergeant John Mollenido, was tagged as a person of interest.

“Para malinaw: tatamaan ang dapat tamaan. Kapag may pulis na nasasangkot, lalong dapat maging mahigpit at patas ang pananagutan (To be clear: those who deserve to be held accountable will be held accountable)," Calinisan said in a statement.

"Bilang Pulis ng Pulis, sisiguruhin ng NAPOLCOM na walang pagtatakip at walang sasantuhin sa paghahanap ng katotohanan ,” he added.

(When a police officer is involved, responsibility must be stricter and fairer. As the ‘Police of the Police,’ NAPOLCOM will ensure there is no cover-up and no compromise in the search for the truth.)

Calinisan directed the commission’s Inspection, Monitoring, and Investigation Service (IMIS) to take cognizance of the case and conduct a parallel administrative investigation.

He also instructed the unit to fully cooperate with criminal investigators to ensure a thorough, impartial, and credible probe.

Diane’s body was found on January 24 along Pulilan Bypass Road in Barangay Dulong Malabon, Pulilan, Bulacan. She had sustained a gunshot wound to the head.

Five days later, on January 29, the body of her son was discovered at a calamansi farm along a farm-to-market road in Barangay Maluid, Victoria, Tarlac.

Police earlier said the killings stemmed from a botched car sale transaction in Quezon City.

A complaint for two counts of robbery with homicide and theft has been filed before the Quezon City Prosecutor’s Office against three suspects, including a car agent, her partner, and an alleged accomplice.

Another female suspect, identified as the sister of the car agent’s husband, recently surrendered to authorities and is set to be referred to the Prosecutor’s Office for inquest proceedings.

Meanwhile, a complaint for obstruction of justice has been filed against John Mollenido, who is currently under restrictive custody and is expected to face corresponding administrative charges.—MCG, GMA Integrated News