Kin of slain policewoman, son withdraws criminal raps vs Diane's ex-husband

The family of slain Police Senior Master Sergeant Diane Marie Mollenido has withdrawn the criminal complaint against her ex-husband in connection with the deaths of Diane and her eight-year-old son John Ysmael.

In a statement on Friday, the National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM) said the dropping of criminal charges against Police Senior Master Sergeant John Mollenido won’t affect the agency’s administrative probe.

"The NAPOLCOM's investigation in the Mollenido case will continue in spite of the Motion to Withdraw Complaint filed by the sister of Mrs. Mollenido concerning PSMS John Mollenido,” NAPOLCOM vice chairperson and executive officer Rafael Vicente Calinisan said.

“What was currently withdrawn was merely the criminal aspect of the case, as far as the sister is concerned. It does not preclude the PNP to proceed with their investigation and file the appropriate criminal charges based on other evidence,” he added.

Calinisan pointed out that John’s fitness to remain as a police officer must and will still be determined by the NAPOLCOM.

On January 24, Diane Marie Mollenido’s body was found along Pulilan Bypass Road in Barangay Dulong Malabon, Pulilan, Bulacan, where she was found with a gunshot wound to the head.

Five days later on January 29, John Ysmael’s body was found at a calamansi farm along a farm-to-market road in Barangay Maluid, Victoria, Tarlac.

The two were killed following a botched car sale transaction in Quezon City on January 16, according to the police.

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

Another female suspect, the sister of the car agent’s husband, recently surrendered to authorities.

A complaint for obstruction of justice has been filed against John, who is under restrictive custody and is set to face corresponding administrative cases. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News