Slain lady cop's vehicle found in Baguio

BAGUIO CITY - Police have recovered the vehicle belonging to slain Police Senior Master Sergeant Diane Marie Mollenido in Baguio City.

According to the Philippine National Police (PNP), the car was allegedly stolen and sold for P450,000 following the killing of Mollenido and her eight-year-old son, John Ysmael.

The buyers, if the said vehicle is surrendered to the Regional Highway Patrol Unit (RHPU) Cordillera

The vehicle was said to have been bought by a resident who is into the buy-and-sell business of Baguio City through online. It was sold again to another buyer for more than P500,00.00.

​In a related development, the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) announced the arrest of three primary suspects in Quezon City on Friday night. The suspects—two men aged 41 and 44, and a 29-year-old woman—were apprehended in separate operations by the Quezon City Police District (QCPD) Criminal Investigation and Detection Unit.

​Investigators also seized a silver SUV believed to have been used to transport and dispose of the victims' bodies. The vehicle is currently undergoing forensic examination by the PNP Forensic Group in Angeles City, Pampanga. While the identities of the arrested suspects have not been released, police stated that a car agent, the last person seen with the victims on 16 January, remains a person of interest.

​The bodies of the mother and son were discovered in an advanced state of decomposition, wrapped in garbage bags. Based on the initial investigations, Mollenido was said to have met with the suspects for a vehicle sale transaction before she and her child were killed and her car was taken. During follow-up operations, police recovered P100,000 in cash, various ID cards, and several mobile phones, including those belonging to the victims.

​On Friday, a search was conducted along the Pulilan–Baliuag Bypass Road in Bulacan, where Mollenido’s body was originally found. One suspect led police to the area where the murder weapon was allegedly discarded. Although a metal detector was used to scour the site, the firearm has not yet been found. The police also used grass cutter in order to clear the area making the search easier.

Once the gun be recovered, it will be sent to Camp Karingal for ballistic testing.