Jamaine Punzalan

Article (news)

Jeff Caparas

ABS-CBN News

<p>MANILA — Autopsy results showed that John Ysmael Mollenido, the 8-year-old son of slain policewoman Diane Marie Mollenido, died of asphyxia by suffocation, the Central Luzon police said Friday. </p><p>Authorities found the boy&#x27;s body at a calamansi farm in Victoria, Tarlac Thursday afternoon.</p><p>The eight-year-old had been missing for a week after the disappearance of his mother, whose decomposing body was discovered along the Pulilan–Baliuag Bypass Road in Pulilan, Bulacan. </p><p>Both victims were wrapped in black garbage bags and were already in an advanced state of decomposition when they were found. </p><p>Sergeant Mollenido died from a gunshot wound to the head, while her son succumbed to asphyxia or lack of oxygen.</p><p>“Base po sa paunang report nasa advanced stage of decomposition na po yung katawan nung bata and base po sa report is naka-tape daw po ito, so posibleng ito po ay na-suffocate,” said Southern Police District spokesperson Lt. Margaret Panaga.</p><div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FabscbnNEWS%2Fposts%2Fpfbid02JESA7hAFQfXL6qDgSg2sNxqnL9hgvP8sTsCoJHkWMhs9FGm8vnkF118bkQcnbMxfl&amp;show_text=true&amp;width=500" width="500" height="811" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><div><br/></div><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/regions/2026/1/30/slain-policewoman-s-estranged-husband-confirms-child-found-dead-in-tarlac-farm-is-their-son-0805">‘Sana mabigyan ng hustisya’: Slain policewoman’s estranged husband confirms child found dead in Tarlac farm is their missing son</a></div><p>A car agent was reportedly the last person to see the victims on January 16 before they were reported missing by the father of the child, Police Senior Master Sergeant John Mollenido, on January 19.  </p><p>Both the father and the car agent are considered persons of interest. </p><p>Investigators visited the residence of the car agent in Novaliches, where they reportedly spoke with her husband, a dismissed police officer.</p><p>Authorities are examining possible financial motives behind the crime, as the victim’s last known activity involved a vehicle sale transaction.</p><p>The car agent has yet to appear in person and is communicating only through legal counsel. Meanwhile, the victim’s husband is cooperating fully with investigators. </p><p>Authorities are awaiting the results of luminol testing at the car agent’s home, where possible traces of blood were found in the bathroom, sink, and drainage system.</p><p>“Waiting pa po tayo sa results, mga 7 to 14 days pa po ito,”  Panaga said. </p><p>Digital forensic analysis will also be conducted on the cellphones of Sergeant Mollenido and the other person of interest. Investigators are reviewing CCTV footage to track how the victims were transported from Quezon City to Bulacan and Tarlac.</p><p>Authorities are calling on anyone who may have witnessed the crime to come forward, while the Mollenido family has asked for privacy.</p><div><br style="caret-color:rgb(0, 0, 0);color:rgb(0, 0, 0)"/></div>

<p>Autopsy results showed that John Ysmael Mollenido, the 8-year-old son of Police Senior Master Sergeant Diane Marie Mollenido, died of asphyxia by suffocation, according to Central Luzon Police.</p>

Autopsy results showed that John Ysmael Mollenido, the 8-year-old son of Police Senior Master Sergeant Diane Marie Mollenido, died of asphyxia by suffocation, according to Central Luzon Police.

Autopsy shows slain policewoman's son died from suffocation

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Autopsy shows slain policewoman's son died from suffocation

Jeff Caparas,

ABS-CBN News

Published January 30, 2026 02:11 PM PHT

|

Updated January 30, 2026 03:40 PM PHT

Read More:

Philippine National Police

slain policewoman

missing son

Tarlac

Bulacan

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