Siblings of slain mom dispute cop’s ‘accidental shooting’ claim

By Glazyl M. Jopson

BACOLOD CITY — The siblings of 42-year-old Kristine Joy Dignadice of Victorias City, Negros Occidental, have disputed a police officer’s claim that her death was accidental, calling the incident brutal and possibly covered up.

Siblings Mary Grace Arcenas and Salvador Joshua Dignadice Jr., joined by National Police Commission Commissioner Rafael Vicente Calinisan, Negros Occidental Rep. Javier Miguel Benitez, and lawyer Edman Pares, chief of the Inspection and Monitoring Service, faced the media for the first time since Kristine’s body was found on Nov. 1.

They filed an administrative complaint at the Napolcom central office in Quezon City on Nov. 5 against Police Staff Sgt. Enrique Gonzalodo Jr., 43, a member of the Bacolod City Police Office, who was accused of killing Kristine in Negros Occidental.

In a press briefing, Joshua said the suspect dumped his sister’s remains in a sugarcane field in Bago City, with her lower garment pulled down.

“We just want this to end and for justice to be served. I hope crimes like this never happen again,” he said.

Kristine’s decomposing body was found in Barangay Don Jorge Araneta, Bago City, hours after Gonzalodo surrendered to authorities in connection with her disappearance and death.

The discovery came three days after her car was found abandoned with bloodstains in a sugarcane field in Barangay Gargato, Hinigaran town, on Oct. 29.

Police said Gonzalodo initially attempted to make it appear that the crime was a rape case.

Joshua said the family had no knowledge of any romantic relationship between his sister and Gonzalodo.

“I just want to make this clear as reports showed that it was a lovers’ quarrel. We have no idea that our sister had a boyfriend. She never mentioned anything about it. We do not believe she was in a relationship,” he said in Hiligaynon.

Mary Grace recalled letting Gonzalodo into their home in Victorias City on Oct. 30, a day after Kristine’s car was found.

“Pinatuloy ko pa siya sa bahay namin. Pinakape ko pa. Tapos malalaman ko na siya pala iyong pumatay sa kapatid ko. Ggo!*” she said, expressing her disbelief and grief.

Joshua said he had only spoken to Gonzalodo by phone at the time, as he was in Bacolod, and it was then they first learned of the alleged relationship.

“He presented himself as the boyfriend of my sister and apologized for not accompanying her,” Joshua said.

He told Gonzalodo to wait for him at their house, but the officer refused and left.

Joshua later visited Gonzalodo in detention, where the latter refused to discuss the incident and claimed the shooting was an “accident.”

Gonzalodo allegedly told him that Kristine was shot after she “tapped” his gun, a claim the family finds illogical as the bullet hit her right shoulder and exited through her neck.

Joshua also asked about Kristine’s three missing cellphones, which Gonzalodo admitted to having but refused to surrender, saying he would explain “in court.”

Joshua described Kristine as a hardworking businesswoman who sold beauty products and deeply cared for her family.

“We talked almost every day about our mother and her 10-year-old son,” he said.

A criminal complaint for murder has been filed against Gonzalodo with the Talisay City Prosecutor’s Office, as the crime was allegedly committed in Talisay City.

Police earlier confirmed that Gonzalodo and Kristine had a three-year illicit relationship when he was assigned to Victorias City.

Gonzalodo is now in the custody of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group–Negros Island Region.

CCTV footage and probe findings

Commissioner Calinisan shared that CCTV footage and investigation findings established the following timeline:

• 6:20 a.m., Oct. 29 — Kristine’s car was seen passing through Barangay Granada, Bacolod City, with the driver’s side undamaged.
• 9:12 a.m. — The same vehicle was seen near the Pontevedra Bridge and public plaza, now with visible damage on the driver’s side.
• 10:54 a.m. — The car was spotted on the highway in Barangay Gargato, Hinigaran.
• 11:00 a.m. — It entered ahaciendaroad in Barangay Gargato, where it was later found abandoned.
• Around 11:00 a.m. — A tricycle driver saw a man in his late 40s, wearing a dark hoodie and black baseball cap, driving the car.
• 11:18 a.m. — A man was seen walking north along the highway in Barangay Gargato.
• 11:25 a.m. — The same man boarded a bus bound for Bacolod City.

On Oct. 30, Gonzalodo visited Kristine’s family in Victorias City, introducing himself as her boyfriend and saying he last saw her at 6 a.m. on Oct. 29 in Barangay Granada.

The family took a photo of Gonzalodo with his consent and submitted it to Hinigaran police, where witnesses positively identified him as the driver of Kristine’s vehicle.

Based on evidence and testimonies, investigators concluded that Gonzalodo likely committed murder with premeditation, taking advantage of his strength and position.

Calinisan said the act dishonored Gonzalodo as a police officer, constituting grave misconduct and conduct unbecoming of a public official.

He confirmed that the Inspection, Monitoring, and Investigation Service will conduct an initial evaluation and pre-charge investigation to determine probable cause for formal charges.

Calinisan assured the public of a swift resolution and ordered investigators to expedite proceedings.

“We will show that our institutions work for the people. Justice must be felt by everyone. Within 60 days of filing, we will finish this case. Those responsible will face the consequences. There will be no compromises here,” he said.

“Whatever the motives were, a death is a death. This is a terrible tragedy. Hindi ako makapaniwala dito. Pasensyahan tayo, mananagot ka,” he added.