Remains of son of slain policewoman cremated in Tarlac

The remains of 8-year-old John Ysmael Mollenido, son of slain policewoman Diane Marie Mollenido, were cremated on Saturday afternoon.

According to a "24 Oras Weekend" report, the cremation took place in Tarlac City and was witnessed by John Ysmael’s father, Police Senior Master Sergeant John Mollenido.

Although John Mollenido had already signed a waiver, the cremation originally scheduled for noon was delayed due to the Philippine National Police's (PNP) insistence on having a family member present.

John Mollenido has been identified as a person of interest but he said that he was willing to cooperate with any investigations into the crime.

On January 24, Diane Marie, 38, was found dead in a creek in Pulilan, Bulacan, with a gunshot wound to the head. Five days later, John Ysmael, was found at a calamansi farm in Victoria, Tarlac. Police said John Ysmael died due to asphyxia by suffocation.

Meanwhile, three suspects were arrested in a residential area in Novaliches, Quezon City on Friday.

Diane Marie's cellphone and P100,000 cash were retrieved from the house of the suspects, who are live-in partners, according to a separate report by John Consulta.

A sport utility vehicle (SUV) believed to have transported the victims’ bodies was also found in Pampanga.

Police said they are now conducting further investigation aimed at building a strong case. —Jiselle Anne Casucian/VBL, GMA Integrated News