Mollenido case: Napolcom orders parallel probe into slain cop’s husband

MANILA, Philippines — The National Police Commission (Napolcom) ordered an investigation into Police Senior Master Sgt. John Mollenido’s possible involvement in the killing of his estranged wife, Police Senior Master Sgt. Diane Mollenido, and their son, John Ysmael.

Police filed an obstruction of justice case against John after he allegedly insisted on immediately cremating his wife’s remains despite the ongoing investigation, the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) previously said.

“In view of the involvement of a police officer as a suspect, Commissioner [Rafael] Calinisan ordered the… Inspection, Monitoring, and Investigation Service (IMIS) to immediately take cognizance of the case, conduct a parallel administrative investigation, and fully cooperate with police investigators to ensure a thorough, impartial and credible process,” Napolcom said in a statement on Wednesday.

“We laud the fast and thorough work of the PNP in resolving this case. But, because there is a police officer involved, it is Napolcom’s duty to ensure accountability will be stricter, fairer, and clearer,” Calinisan said in Filipino.

Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla earlier noted that John displayed “no remorse” when he was interviewed by police investigators about his wife and son.

However, in a statement later Tuesday, John’s legal counsel, Cristobal Rimando, maintained his client’s innocence, saying that his supposed lack of remorse was not evidence of guilt.

John was placed under restrictive custody while the investigation is ongoing, the NCRPO said.

READ: Policewoman, son killed by suspects selling ‘nonexistent’ SUV for P1M

‘Slam dunk’

Diane and her son were last seen alive last Jan. 16 meeting with car agent Pia Katrina Panganiban at the latter’s home in Novaliches, Quezon City supposedly to complete a payment for a new sports utility vehicle worth P1 million, according to the police investigation.

Diane was found dead in a creek in Bulacan last Jan. 24, while her son was found dead in a grassy area in a calamansi farm in Tarlac last Jan. 29.

Panganiban; her husband, a dismissed police officer; and their helper were arrested on the evening of Jan. 30, while her sister-in-law surrendered to the police on Feb. 2.

In a statement on Tuesday night, the NCRPO said the first three suspects face a complaint for two counts of robbery with homicide and theft referred to the Quezon City Prosecutor’s Office last Feb. 1.

Meanwhile, the fourth suspect will be referred for inquest proceedings also before the Quezon City Prosecutor’s Office in the coming days, the NCRPO added.

At a press briefing in Camp Crame on Tuesday, Remulla said the case was now considered “closed,” maintaining: “This is a slam dunk case. But, for the appreciation of the DOJ (Department of Justice), I think this case is finished. This has the certainty of conviction.” /mcm