Rowegie Abanto

Grief and solemn prayers marked the interment of Police Senior Master Sergeant Diane Marie Mollenido and her 8-year-old son, John Ysmael, as family members, colleagues, and friends gathered to lay them to rest today, February 5, 2026. NCRPO

Article (news)

Grief and solemn 

Jeff Caparas

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1770799410932626726925_1413107077531211_7010704289411913935_n.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Grief and solemn prayers marked the interment of Police Senior Master Sergeant Diane Marie Mollenido and her 8-year-old son, John Ysmael, as family members, colleagues, and friends gathered to lay them to rest today, February 5, 2026. <em>NCRPO</em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA — The legal counsel of the primary suspects in the killing of Police Senior Master Sergeant (PSMS) Diane Marie Mollenido and her 8-year-old son has formally withdrawn from the case, the Quezon City Police District (QCPD) confirmed on Wednesday.</p><p>During the scheduled submission of counter-affidavits, the suspects — spouses Pia and Christian Panganiban — waived their right to submit their counter-affidavit and testimony for the day. </p><p>Their previous counsel filed a motion to withdraw from the case, which was granted, resulting in the postponement of the proceedings.</p><p>According to QCPD spokesperson PMaj. Jennifer Gannaban, the couple has since secured legal representation from the Public Attorney’s Office (PAO). </p><p>The submission of their counter-affidavit has been rescheduled.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/2/3/dilg-chief-declares-mollenido-killing-case-solved-1117">PNP: Fake car deal behind killing of cop, 8-year-old son</a></div><p>Gannaban said that the February 11 hearing did not push through due to the withdrawal of the couple&#x27;s counsel.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>&#x27;ABSENCE OF COUNTER-AFFIDAVIT AFFECTS CASE RESOLUTION&#x27;</strong></div><div><br/></div><p>Cristobal Rimando, lawyer of the Mollenido family, said failure to submit a counter-affidavit could affect the resolution of the case because the prosecutor would only rely on the affidavit of the complainant and the police officer.</p><p>&quot;So technically, makaaapekto dahil wala silang side na pakikinggan, based na lang sa evidence na sinubmit sa prosecutor,&quot; said Rimando.</p><p>He added that they intended to submit a supplemental affidavit but declined to disclose its content.</p><p>Rimando said that he objected to &quot;delays&quot; in the proceedings but acknowledged that the 15-day period falls within the allowable timeframe. </p><p>He noted that the extension gives them additional time to prepare and submit supplemental documents.</p><p>The preliminary investigation is still ongoing.</p><p>One of the suspects, Gil Dy, has applied to become a state witness and is awaiting resolution of his application.</p><p>He is expected to submit his affidavit during the next hearing set on Friday, February 13.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>RESTRICTIVE CUSTODY</strong></div><div><br/></div><p>A motion to lift the <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/focus/09/05/17/alamin-ano-ang-restrictive-custody">restrictive custody</a> against PSMS John Mollenido, the estranged husband of Diane Marie Mollenido and father of 8-year-old John Ysmael, is also pending. </p><p>John Mollenido is a &quot;<a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/2/9/john-mollenido-husband-of-slain-policewoman-seeks-removal-from-restrictive-custody-1448">person of interest</a>&quot; in the case, which means he may have been involved in the crime but still not considered a suspect.</p><p>Rimando appealed to authorities to grant the request, arguing that their client’s participation is crucial in pursuing justice.</p><p>&quot;I would like to appeal to the authorities, just let go of my client because he will be appearing. His appearance is very vital to participate in this case. Asawa siya, tatay siya,&quot; Rimando said.</p><p>&quot;I would like again to appeal to the authorities na palayain na para makapag-participate siya sa proceedings at mabigyan siya ng hustisya. He cannot do that right now because he is in custody.&quot;</p><p>Police, however, have filed a motion to extend the restrictive custody, pending the resolution of the investigation.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>CYBER LIBEL CASE</strong></div><div><br/></div><p>The defense is also considering filing a cyber libel case and said one of their clients is seeking privacy and has declined media interviews for security reasons.</p><p>The resolution of the case will be based on the complaint affidavits and evidence submitted by the complainant and the Special Investigation Task Group pending the submission of additional affidavits from the parties involved.</p><div><strong>RELATED VIDEOS: </strong></div><div><strong><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/7hZ_MVTyLuk?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/tkj8fKcG8cI?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span></strong><br/></div>

<p>The legal counsel of the primary suspects in the killing of Police Senior Master Sergeant Diane Marie Mollenido and her 8-year-old son has formally withdrawn from the case, the Quezon City Police District (QCPD) confirmed on Wednesday.</p>

The legal counsel of the primary suspects in the killing of Police Senior Master Sergeant Diane Marie Mollenido and her 8-year-old son has formally withdrawn from the case, the Quezon City Police District (QCPD) confirmed on Wednesday.

Lawyer of primary suspects in killing of Diane Mollenido and her son withdraws from case

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Lawyer of primary suspects in killing of Diane Mollenido and her son withdraws from case

Jeff Caparas,

ABS-CBN News

Published February 11, 2026 04:48 PM PHT

Read More:

John Mollenido

Diane Marie Mollenido

PNP

John Ysmael

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