VICTORIA, Tarlac — January 30, 2026 — Authorities confirmed that the remains of John Ysmael, the missing son of Police Senior Master Sergeant Diane Marie Mollenido, were recovered in a calamansi farm in Barangay Maluid, Victoria, Tarlac. The discovery comes nearly two weeks after the tragic killing of his mother, whose body was found wrapped in cloth and plastic in a creek along the Pulilan–Baliuag Bypass Road in Bulacan on January 24.

The boy’s estranged father, Police Master Sergeant John L. Mollenido, positively identified the remains. “Sana mabigyan ng hustisya ang anak ko at si Diane,” he said, expressing grief and calling for accountability.

Investigators revealed that Diane Marie and her son were last seen on January 16 before they went missing. The policewoman, a resident of Taguig, was reported missing until her decomposing body was discovered in Bulacan. The recovery of her son’s remains in Tarlac has deepened suspicions that both mother and child were victims of foul play.

Local authorities in Tarlac are now coordinating with the Pasay and Bulacan police to piece together the timeline of events leading to the deaths. Investigators are examining whether the suspects involved in Diane’s killing are also connected to the death of her son. The case has drawn widespread public attention, with calls for swift justice and stronger protection for law enforcers and their families.

The tragic discovery has sparked outrage among colleagues and residents, who described Diane as a dedicated policewoman and mother. Advocacy groups have also urged the Philippine National Police to prioritize the investigation and ensure that those responsible are held accountable.

With both mother and son now confirmed dead, the case underscores the urgent need for intensified law enforcement efforts against violent crimes targeting families of police officers. The Mollenido family, along with supporters, continue to demand justice as the investigation unfolds.

A Child Lost After the Crime

The discovery of the boy’s remains turns an already brutal case into something far worse. This is no longer only about the killing of a police officer. A child disappeared, remained unseen for days, and was found only after hope had run out. That gap matters.

Between disappearance and discovery is the window where lives can still be saved. Every hour lost narrows that chance. Coordination, urgency, and decisive action are not procedural details when a child is missing. They are the difference between rescue and recovery.

Justice now must answer more than who committed the crime. It must confront a harder question. If the alarm had sounded louder and sooner, would this child still be alive today?