Husband nabbed for slay of policewoman, son

MANILA, Philippines — Authorities arrested yesterday in Novaliches, Quezon City the husband of slain police Senior M/Sgt. Diane Marie Mollenido for allegedly killing her and their eight-year-old son.

Senior M/Sgt. John Mollenido, who has been dismissed from the police service, was identified as the prime suspect in the killing of the victims after he was implicated by car agent Pia Katrina Panganiban.

Authorities said Panganiban was last seen with Diane and her son on Jan. 16.

Following her death, Diane’s vehicle was reportedly stolen and sold for about P450,000. Baguio City police earlier recovered the car.

Investigators said the car was purchased online by a Baguio City resident involved in a buy-and-sell business before being resold to another person for more than P500,000.

The final buyer had surrendered the vehicle to the police Regional Highway Patrol Unit-Cordillera after learning about its link to the crime.

Mollenido will undergo inquest proceedings along with three other arrested suspects.

They are Panganiban, her husband Christian Suarez who is a former police officer, and their associate Gil Valdemoro Dy Jr. They were nabbed in separate operations in Barangays San Agustin and San Bartolome in Quezon City on Jan. 30.

On-site inventory yielded identification cards, P100,000 in cash and mobile phones belonging to the suspects, police said.

The policewoman’s body was found on Jan. 24 in Bulacan. Five days later, her son’s remains were discovered in a calamansi farm in Victoria, Tarlac. — Artemio Dumalo