Of all the people who should the investigation procedures, it should be Police Senior Master Sergeant John L. Mollenido due to his long years of experience as a cop.

And after losing his eight-year old son and his estranged wife to car sale scammers, Mollenido will be losing his job as well after the National Police Commission (Napolcom) established that he facilitated the cremation of the two cadavers in January this year.

“Despite the ongoing police investigation and the evidentiary value of the remains, the respondent facilitated the immediate cremation of both victims,” the Napolcom resolution read.

“He signed the authorization for cremation and proceeded with the process even before the completion of medico-legal procedures, resulting in the destruction of potential evidence material to the case,” it added.

The case stemmed from the death of Police Senior Master Sergeant Diane Marie Mollenido and her son John Ysmael at the hands of a couple engaged in buying and selling cars.

Based on the police probe, Diane Marie asked former cop Christian Panganiban and wife Pia Katrina to look for a second-hand Mitsubishi Montero and gave them money for the purchase.

The money given by Diane Mari was not enough so she asked the couple to sell her Toyota Innova to raise the money needed to buy the sports utility vehicle.

Unknown to Diane Marie, the couple already spent the money and this allegedly motivated them to kill their wedding godmother” and her eight-year old son who was with her to get the SUV.

Autopsy findings revealed that the Diane Mari died of gunshot wound while her son was suffocated to death.

On the part of the Mollenido, Napolcom Commissioner Rafael Vicente R. Calinisan said he was found liable for Grave Misconduct, Neglect of Duty, and Conduct Unbecoming of a Police Officer.

For the Napolcom, what Mollenido did constituted a clear violation of Presidential Decree No. 1829, which penalizes obstruction of justice, including the destruction or concealment of evidence.

Napolcom further noted that existing regulations under Department of Health guidelines strictly prohibit the cremation of remains in medico-legal cases without proper authorization from competent authorities, underscoring that only burial, subject to legal clearance, is allowed.

“The actions of the respondent showed a blatant disregard of established legal procedures and the fundamental duty of a police officer to uphold the law,” the Napolcom decision read.

“Given the gravity and multiplicity of the offenses, the Commission imposed the penalty of dismissal from the police service, carrying with it the accessory penalties provided under existing rules,” it added.