New CCTV footage reveals the final movements of suspects in the Mollenido double murder

• The Quezon City Police District released CCTV footage showing suspects Pia and Christian Panganiban at a Fairview motel on January 18
• Authorities believe the couple killed Police Senior Master Sgt. Diane Marie Mollenido and her eight-year-old son after a fraudulent car deal
• Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla revealed the suspects used a family trip to Baguio as a cover to dump the victims' bodies in Tarlac and Bulacan
• The primary suspects along with their helper and a relative are currently in custody after a series of arrests and surrenders in late January

The investigation into the heartbreaking death of Police Senior Master Sgt. Diane Marie Mollenido and her young son, John Ysmael, has reached a critical turning point. This Thursday, the Quezon City Police District (QCPD) shared a chilling piece of evidence: security footage from a Fairview motel dated January 18.

In the video, the primary suspects—Pia Panganiban and her husband, Christian—are seen checking out of the motel around 2 p.m. They appeared like any other family, carrying bags and traveling with their three children in a gray Toyota Fortuner. However, authorities now believe this "family outing" was a dark facade used to hide a gruesome crime.

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The tragedy began on January 16 when Mollenido and her eight-year-old son visited Pia, who was the officer's godchild and car agent. Mollenido reportedly intended to sell her current vehicle to Pia to complete a P1 million payment for a new SUV. Police later discovered that the SUV being sold to the officer was "nonexistent," turning the transaction into a deadly scam.

According to Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla, the Panganibans allegedly killed the mother and son shortly after the meeting. They then reportedly enlisted the help of their housemaid and Christian’s sister to dispose of the bodies. To avoid suspicion, the couple loaded the remains into their Fortuner and told people they were going on a family trip to Baguio. Instead, they turned back and dumped the victims in separate locations in Tarlac and Bulacan.

Before returning to their home in Novaliches, the suspects reportedly stayed at motels in Fairview and Pansol, Laguna. The elaborate ruse ended when the Panganibans and their helper were arrested on January 30, followed by the surrender of Christian’s sister a few days later. The getaway vehicle was eventually recovered by police in Pampanga.

Police Senior Master Sgt. Mollenido was known by her colleagues as a dedicated public servant. The fact that her own goddaughter is the primary suspect has added a layer of betrayal to an already senseless tragedy. As the legal proceedings begin, the QCPD remains committed to ensuring that the Panganibans face the full weight of the law for the lives they allegedly stole.

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DILG Secretary Jonvic Remulla confirms child was an unplanned victim in police officer’s slay

In a shocking twist, investigators identified Pia Panganiban, the victim’s own goddaughter, as the brain behind the double murder. Police reports suggest that a financial motive involving a failed car transaction led Pia to plot against the person who treated her like family. This story explores the history of their relationship and how the trust between the two was allegedly exploited for money.

Secretary Remulla provided a somber update confirming that the eight-year-old son of the policewoman was not an original target but was killed because he was a witness. The DILG chief described the act as heartless, noting that the suspects chose to eliminate the child to cover their tracks after killing his mother. This heartbreaking detail has intensified the public's call for the maximum penalty for those involved.

Source: KAMI.com.gh