Police on Sunday arrested a high-ranking officer in connection with the brutal killings of his wife, a fellow police officer, and their 8-year-old son, after three co-suspects tagged him as the mastermind.

Police Senior Master Sgt. John Mollenido was taken into custody by the Quezon City Police District’s Criminal Investigation and Detection Unit (QCPD-CIDU).

His arrest follows the Saturday confession of a couple who claimed Mollenido ordered the execution of his wife, Police Master Sgt. Diane Marie Mollenido, and their son, John Ysmael.

The investigation centered on dismissed officer Christian Panganiban, his partner Pia Katrina Panganiban, and their house help, Gil Valdemoro Dy Jr. Investigators found blood stains belonging to the victim inside the couple’s Novaliches home, where the killings allegedly took place on 16 January.

According to police sources, the Panganibans claimed the elder Mollenido orchestrated the “well-planned” attack. The couple, who worked as agents for Diane Marie’s car buy-and-sell business, reportedly lured her to their home under the pretense of discussing a vehicle transaction.

Once inside, Christian Panganiban allegedly shot Diane Marie in the head at close range. The suspects then suffocated the 8-year-old boy with a plastic bag.

Dy later admitted to helping clean the crime scene and disposing of the bodies using a sport utility vehicle.

Diane Marie’s body was found in a Pulilan, Bulacan, creek on 24 January. Her son’s remains were recovered five days later at a calamansi farm in Victoria, Tarlac.

While John Mollenido previously expressed a willingness to cooperate and was initially treated as a person of interest, the QCPD confirmed he now faces formal charges. He and the three other suspects are set to undergo inquest proceedings.

Authorities have recovered the victim’s cellphone and P100,000 in cash from the Panganiban residence, along with the SUV believed to have been used to transport the bodies.