Manila, Philippines – More than three weeks have passed since the lifeless bodies of Police Senior Master Sgt. Diane Marie Mollenido and her 8 year old son were found, uncovering a chilling murder case over a car deal.
Following a series of investigations, suspects of the case were identified almost immediately: spouses Christian Panganiban and Pia Katrina Panganiban a dismissed policeman and a car agent couple, as well as their helper Gil Dy Jr.
After weeks of pursuing the case, the Quezon City Police District (QCPD) formally filed two counts of murder charges against the three suspects over the alleged killing of the Mollenidos.
Investigation revealed that Mollenido purchased a Montero, paying half of its million amount as a downpayment through Pia Katarina who is a car dealer agent.
Through Pia Katarina, Mollenido also planned to sell her Innova to pay her remaining balance.
On January 16, Mollenido and her son went to the Panganiban’s residence to meet up with the supposed buyer of the Innova, but came to realize that there is no Montero.
Police suspect that Mollenido may have found out about the scam, which may have transpired an argument—eventually leading to the murder.
Mollenido’s body was found in Bulacan with a bullet shot through her head, while her son’s remains was found in Tarlac, believed to be suffocated through a plastic bag.
On the other hand, QCPD also dropped the charges against Maribel, sister of Christian who was initially a suspect in the case that helped the couple to clean the crime scene, and is now an ordinary witness.
QCPD also resolved and dropped the cases against Senior Master Sgt. John Mollenido, ex husband and father of the victims, after the Court granted his motion to be removed from the respondents’ list.
He remains however under NCRPO’s restrictive custody over an obstruction of justice case pending before the Malolos City Prosecutor Office.
This is due to him allegedly rushing the cremation of the remains of the victims while the investigation is still ongoing.—Mia Layaguin, Eurotv News