MOLLENIDO, CASAUAY MURDER CASES SOLVED — REMULLA

DEPARTMENT of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jonvic Remulla assured the public that justice will be delivered in the killings of PSMS Diane Marie Mollenido and her eight-year-old son, as well as PSSg Renato Casauay Jr..

At a press conference in Camp Crame, Quezon City, Remulla reported significant developments in both cases, which he already considers “case closed.”

He said Mollenido and her son John Ysmael were killed following a vehicle transaction with suspects Pia Katrina Panganiban and Christian Suarez Panganiban, now in custody.

“Sa halagang 450,000 pesos ay pinatay ang mag-ina,” he said, citing the alleged motive.

The victims went missing on January 16, 2026, and their remains were later found in Bulacan and Tarlac.

Charges will be filed, while husband John Mollenido remains a person of interest.

Meanwhile, Casauay, assigned to the Philippine Drug Enforcement Group–SOU 3, was found in a septic tank in Malolos City, Bulacan.

He was allegedly shot by Julian “Mon” Salamat. Four suspects, including PCpl Vivencio Abalos have been arrested.  

A CCTV footage showed Casauay with Salamat before the killing.

Seven suspects, including Salamat, remain at large.

A P1 million reward has been offered for the arrest of Salamat and his accomplices.

“Sa mata ko lang, tingin ko tapos na itong kasong ito. Certainty of conviction na ito for both cases,” Remulla said.

He stressed that while PNP syndicate groups have been dismantled, questionable transactions persist. “Sa loob ng hanay, may mga transaksyon na nangyayari na hindi naman dahil sa PNP. Nakakasama lang sila,” he said.

“Ang bawat buhay po ng pulis ay mahalaga sa amin. Hindi po namin pinapamenos kung may mangyari sa aming kapulisan. Ginagawa nila ang kanilang trabaho, napakataas ng tiwala ng mga tao sa kanila. Ang mga ganitong klaseng bagay ay hindi natin pwedeng palusutin,” he added.