Jonvic: Case of slain policewoman closed

Victim’s husband not off the hook

MANILA, Philippines — A car dealer and her husband were tagged as the masterminds in the murders of Senior M/Sgt. Diane Marie Mollenido and her eight-year-old son John Ysmael in Quezon City.

Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla described the couple as “psychopathic as they brought with them their three children when they disposed the victims’ remains.”

Pia Katrina Panganiban and her husband, dismissed police officer Christian Panganiban, allegedly masterminded the grisly crime, which happened at their house in Barangay San Agustin, Quezon City on Jan. 16.

“Based on our investigation, the case is considered closed and charges will be filed,” Remulla said at a news briefing at Camp Crame yesterday.

With the pieces of evidence in the possession of investigators, Remulla said he is confident that the suspects would be convicted of the crime.

“I think this is a slam dunk case, but for the appreciation now of the DOJ (Department of Justice). In my opinion, the case is solved,” he said.

Police apprehended the Panganibans together with their helper Gil Dy Jr. on Friday.

The former policeman’s sister, Maribel, turned herself in to police on Monday. They are facing complaints for two counts of robbery with homicide and theft before the Quezon City prosecutor’s office.

Dy and Maribel have executed sworn statements identifying the couple as the brains in the killing.

Emphasizing the “diabolical nature” of the couple, Remulla said the suspects even brought with them their three children aged six, eight and 10 when they dumped the victims’ bodies in Pulilan, Bulacan and Victoria, Tarlac.

The couple brought their children with them in their sport utility vehicle, telling them they would go to Baguio City for a vacation while the victims’ remains were in the back of the SUV.

“The Panganiban couple has psychopathic criminal tendencies and have no conscience,” Remulla said. “Anong klaseng utak meron ka. Anong klaseng puso meron ka na pati anak mo isasama mo sa disposal and prosecution of the crime. It was shocking.”

Probers said the children were in their room when Panganiban allegedly shot Mollenido in the head. The couple reportedly suffocated the policewoman’s son to death with a plastic bag.

What apparently led to the death of Mollenido and her son was her desire to own a Mitsubishi Montero worth P1.1 million, according to Metro Manila police director Maj. Gen. Anthony Aberin.

Aberin said Mollenido gave the Panganibans a down payment of P550,000 on Dec. 18, 2025.

To complete the remaining balance, Mollenido sold her Toyota Innova for P450,000 to a buyer. Panganiban’s wife served as the sales agent.

Aberin said the Montero that was supposedly for sale “was non-existent.”

Quezon City police director Col. Randy Glenn Silvio said Maribel told investigators that the couple had apparently planned to kill Mollenido.

“They bought a garbage bag and covered with plastic a sofa where they executed the policewoman,” Aberin said.

A background investigation on the Panganibans showed they were facing a string of estafa cases.

Person of interest

The policewoman’s husband, Senior M/Sgt. John Mollenido, is not yet off the hook even if there is no evidence linking him to the crime, according to Remulla.

Remulla said Mollenido remains a person of interest, citing his actions after the killing of his estranged wife and their son.

Among these was his decision to have the victims’ remains quickly cremated, including the clothes that they wore when they were killed.

This prompted the Central Luzon police to file a complaint for obstruction of justice against Mollenido.

Remulla said there was also no indication that Mollenido was distraught when informed about the death of his estranged wife and their son.

“Imagine, namatay anak mo, hindi ka naiiyak. Parang wala sa kanya. So we are digging into the possible angle that he was involved,” Remulla said.