Philippine National Police Chief Gen. Jose Melencio C. Nartatez Jr. expressed confidence that the cases filed against suspects in the killing of a policewoman and her eight-year-old son, as well as those behind the death of a police sergeant in Bulacan, will result in court convictions.
“Our investigators in both cases really did their job to solve the cases since Day 1. All the angles were pursued and all the pieces of evidence were obtained and meticulously reviewed to build a strong case,” Nartatez said in a statement Wednesday.
“With the pieces of evidence we have to support the cases we have, we are confident that there’s a certainty of conviction of the court against those involved,” he added.
In the case of Police Senior Master Sgt. Diane Marie Mollenido and her eight-year-old son John Ysmael, which Nartatez said has been considered solved, authorities are now focused on accounting for all remaining suspects in the killing of Police Staff Sgt. Renato Casauay Jr., including alleged gunman Julian Salamat.
Nartatez said the PNP’s commitment to solving both cases is in line with the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla to ensure that no crime goes unpunished and that the rule of law is upheld with integrity.
At least four individuals, including a couple later identified as the wedding godchildren of Mollenido, are already in police custody. Authorities said Mollenido and her son were killed as a result of a fake car deal, with investigators finding that the principal suspects planned and carried out the attack after fearing that their alleged scam would be exposed.
Police said Mollenido had earlier given P550,000 to the couple and an additional P450,000 from the sale of her Toyota Innova to complete a supposed purchase of a secondhand Mitsubishi Montero. The vehicle, police said, did not exist.
In the Casauay case, four individuals were also arrested, including a police corporal who allegedly failed to arrest Salamat after the latter reportedly went to him to confess to the crime.
Nartatez welcomed Remulla’s decision to offer a P1-million reward for the arrest of Salamat and other suspects linked to Casauay’s killing.
“I commend all our personnel, from the commanders down to our personnel on the ground, for their hard work and dedication to solve these two cases,” Nartatez said.
“This only proved the commitment of the PNP to enforce the law against the violators, ensure justice to the victims, and bring peace of mind to the Filipino people,” he added.