Cop’s love affair with single mom turns deadly

By Glazyl M. Jopson

BACOLOD CITY — Police Col. Dennis Wenceslao, director of the Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (Nocppo), confirmed that the killing of 42-year-old Kristine Joy Dignadice stemmed from a lover’s quarrel involving her and Police Staff Sergeant Enrique Gonzalodo Jr., who is assigned to the Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO).

In a press briefing on Monday, Wenceslao said the two had been in an illicit relationship for about three years, reportedly beginning when Gonzalodo was previously assigned in Victorias City, where Dignadice lived.

Gonzalodo was married to another woman, while Dignadice had a son.

The alleged fatal shooting occurred between 8 a.m. and 9 a.m. on Oct. 29 in Barangay Matab-ang, Talisay City, where Gonzalodo and Dignadice met that day.

According to Gonzalodo’s extrajudicial confession as cited by Wenceslao, an argument broke out while Dignadice was driving her car, but no specific details were released regarding the cause of their quarrel.

“Hindi masabi if selos kasi mahirap, walang basehan. Hindi na natin makuha ang version ni Kristine,” he said.

Wenceslao further stated that Gonzalodo’s 9mm caliber service firearm was placed near the handbrake when the victim allegedly tried to grab it.

Gonzalodo was able to hold the firearm, but it discharged, hitting Dignadice.

Panicking, Gonzalodo allegedly drove to Barangay Don Jorge Araneta in Bago City, where he dumped Dignadice’s body in a sugarcane field before abandoning her blood-stained sedan in Barangay Gargato, Hinigaran town, later that afternoon.

Police said Gonzalodo attempted to mislead authorities by staging the scene to look like a rape case, as the victim’s lower garment had been pulled down.

A witness reportedly saw the suspect fleeing aboard a bus.

Overcome by guilt, Gonzalodo, accompanied by his lawyer, surrendered to Police Brig. Gen. Arnold Thomas Ibay, director of Police Regional Office–Negros Island Region (PRO-NIR), on Nov. 1—three days after the incident—leading to the discovery of Dignadice’s body.

“Sinabi niya na nakonsensya siya kaya sumuko siya,” the provincial top cop said.

Although Gonzalodo claimed the shooting was accidental, Wenceslao disputed this, noting that if it had been unintentional, he should have brought the victim to a hospital instead of abandoning her.

“Kung talagang ito’y aksidente, sana dinala sa hospital ang biktima. Bakit niya tinago? Bakit dinelay?” Wenceslao asked.

“Let the truth, investigation, and evidence speak,” he said.

Gonzalodo has since voluntarily surrendered his firearm for ballistic examination.

Wenceslao confirmed that based on Gonzalodo’s confession, he acted alone in the incident.

Wenceslao said Gonzalodo’s admission regarding the killing and the disappearance of Dignadice was documented and done voluntarily in the presence of his legal counsel.

“The investigation is ongoing and we assured the victim’s family that justice will be attained,” he added.

Police Maj. West Edquilla, officer-in-charge of the Negros Occidental Scene of the Crime Operatives (SOCO), reported that Dignadice sustained a single gunshot wound to the right shoulder, with the bullet exiting through her neck.

Her body was already in a state of decomposition when examined.

Edquilla said no other injuries were found on the victim’s body, and the discoloration may have been caused by sun exposure.

He said there was no evidence of recent trauma on the victim’s private parts, though vaginal swabs were collected for reference and possible cross-matching.

Finger clippings, blood swabs, and bone marrow samples were also taken for DNA analysis.

Gonzalodo has been charged with murder before the Talisay City Prosecutor’s Office for the alleged killing of Dignadice, after the Talisay City Police Station submitted all evidence on Sunday night, Nov. 2, for the filing of the criminal complaint.

Wenceslao, who leads the Special Investigation Task Group (SITG) handling the case, said they are awaiting the prosecutor’s resolution but are confident they have built a strong case against Gonzalodo, a resident of Talisay City and a mobile patroller assigned to BCPO’s Police Station 5.

“Nasa kamay na ng korte. Lahat ng magagawa ng PNP, ginawa na,” Wenceslao stated, expressing both confidence in the case and condolences to Dignadice’s family.

Wenceslao expressed dismay that the suspect was a fellow officer and emphasized that there would be no cover-up within the Philippine National Police (PNP).

“The police badge is not a symbol of power but of responsibility. When it is disgraced, the organization must act to correct it,” he said.

Gonzalodo is currently under the custody of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group–Negros Island Region (CIDG-NIR) to prevent any undue influence on the investigation.

Aside from the criminal complaint, he will also face administrative charges within the PNP.