By HANNAH NICOL, LIEZLE BASA IÑIGO
A dismissed police officer and two others were arrested in Novaliches, Quezon City, in connection with the killing of Police Staff Master Sergeant (PSMS) Diane Marie Gabres Mollenido and her eight-year-old son, John Ysmael, authorities disclosed on Saturday, Jan. 31.
The Quezon City Police District (QCPD) said the suspects were apprehended on the night of Jan. 30 in Barangay San Agustin and Barangay San Bartolome following a joint operation by police investigators and special units.
The suspects were identified as Gil Valdemoro Dy Jr., 41, a rider; Pia Katrina Panganiban, 29, and her husband, Christian Suarez Panganiban, 44, a dismissed police officer. All three are now in custody.
Investigators established that on Jan. 16, PSMS Mollenido and her son left their residence in Taguig City aboard a Toyota Innova (NAK 2796), intending to sell the vehicle.
They were last seen alive at the Novaliches residence of Pia and Christian Panganiban.
On Jan. 19, Mollenido’s husband, PMSg John Ledesma Mollenido, reported their disappearance to the Taguig City Police Station.
It was later confirmed that the vehicle had been sold to a buy-and-sell agent for ₱450,000.
On Jan. 24, Mollenido’s body was discovered in a creek along Pulilan Bypass Road in Bulacan, wrapped in a garbage bag with a gunshot wound to the head.
The discovery prompted the National Capital Regional Police Office (NCRPO) to activate a Special Investigation Task Group, composed of the Taguig Police, QCPD, and Police Regional Office 3.
Five days later, on Jan. 29, the remains of Mollenido’s son were found in a calamansi farm in Victoria, Tarlac.
Further investigation revealed that Dy had conspired with the Panganiban couple in the disappearance and killing of the victims.
Police said the arrest followed the recovery of key evidence, including the police officer’s cellphone, as well as P100,000, mobile phones, and identification cards from the suspects.
Investigators continue efforts to recover the firearm used in the killing, believed to have been discarded in Bulacan.
Meanwhile, a metallic gray Toyota Fortuner with a temporary plate, allegedly used in disposing of the victims’ bodies, was discovered at around 8:20 a.m. on Jan. 31 on Zakura Street, Deca Clark Homes, Barangay Margot, Angeles City. It is undergoing forensic examination in Pampanga.
The suspects were apprised of their rights before being brought to QCPD for investigation and proper disposition.
Authorities are continuing the investigation and are preparing the filing of appropriate criminal charges against the suspects.
