A police officer has been expelled from the service after authorities found him guilty of grave misconduct tied to the controversial handling of the deaths of his estranged wife and their young son—an administrative ruling that underscores growing scrutiny over police accountability in sensitive criminal cases.
The National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM) announced that Police Senior Master Sergeant John Mollenido was dismissed after being held administratively liable not only for grave misconduct, but also for neglect of duty and conduct unbecoming of a police officer.
At the heart of the ruling was Mollenido’s decision to authorize the immediate cremation of the remains of his estranged wife, Police Senior Master Sergeant Diane Marie Mollenido, and their eight-year-old son, John Ysmael—despite both deaths being under active investigation.
Authorities said the move effectively compromised crucial forensic evidence.
Diane Marie’s body was discovered in a creek in Pulilan, Bulacan on January 24, while her son’s remains were found days later in a calamansi farm in Victoria, Tarlac. Autopsy findings showed the policewoman died from a gunshot wound, while her son succumbed to asphyxia.
NAPOLCOM said the premature cremation violated established medico-legal protocols and obstructed the pursuit of justice. The commission stressed that under health and legal guidelines, remains involved in criminal investigations must not be cremated without proper authorization, as they may hold critical evidence.
The act, the commission added, runs afoul of Presidential Decree No. 1829, which penalizes the destruction or concealment of evidence, as well as internal disciplinary rules governing police conduct.
In a strongly worded statement, NAPOLCOM Commissioner Rafael Vicente Calinisan said the case highlights a serious breach of public trust.
“When a police officer himself destroys evidence and obstructs the truth, it is not only the law that is violated, but justice itself,” he said, emphasizing that the police uniform must never be used as a shield from accountability.
The administrative case runs parallel to the ongoing criminal proceedings involving the killings. In February, the Quezon City Police District filed two counts of murder against three suspects linked to what investigators described as a botched car sale transaction that led to the deaths.
Prosecutors identified the accused as a car agent known as “Pia Katrina,” her husband “Christian,” and an accomplice “Gil,” citing strong evidence that could likely secure a conviction.
While Mollenido had earlier been considered a person of interest, the court eventually granted a motion removing his name from the list of respondents in the criminal case.
Still, the administrative ruling sends a clear signal, according to observers: even in the absence of criminal liability, police officers remain bound by strict standards of conduct—especially in cases where their actions may affect the integrity of investigations.
The dismissal marks one of the more high-profile disciplinary actions in recent months, reinforcing the message that procedural lapses—particularly those involving evidence handling—can carry career-ending consequences within the ranks.