The police have filed murder charges against a Bacolod City policeman for the death of his lover, even as he claims the incident was an accident.
The victim, Kristine Joy Dignidace, 42, a businesswoman and nurse from Victorias City, was found dead in a sugarcane field in Bago City on November 1, after being missing since October 29.
Her gray Hyundai Accent was discovered in Brgy. Gargato, Hinigaran, with a shattered windshield and bloodstains last week.
The suspect, Police SSgt. Enrique Gonzalodo Jr., assigned to Bacolod City Police Station 5, surrendered to authorities and led investigators to the site where the victim’s body was found.
He is now under the custody of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) while facing both criminal and administrative cases.
During a press briefing on November 3, Col. Dennis Wenceslao, Director of the Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (NOCPPO), said Gonzalodo claimed that the shooting was accidental.
The officer alleged that during an argument, Dignidace reached for his firearm placed near the vehicle’s handbrake, and when he tried to retrieve it, the gun accidentally fired.
However, Wenceslao said investigators are not fully convinced by the suspect’s statement.
He emphasized that the police have a strong case and the National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM) will also conduct a moto proprio investigation to ensure due process.
Maj. West Edquila, medico-legal officer of the Regional Forensics Unit, confirmed that the victim sustained a close-range gunshot wound that entered her right shoulder, passed through her neck, and exited her left shoulder.
The trajectory of the bullet matches the shattered driver-side window of the vehicle.
Police said the autopsy found no other injuries, and the discoloration of the body was due to exposure to sunlight prior to discovery.
The murder complaint has been filed before the City Prosecutor’s Office, while an administrative case is being handled by NAPOLCOM.
Investigation is ongoing to verify inconsistencies in the suspect’s account and establish the full motive behind the crime.
Rep. Javier Miguel Benitez (Neg. Occ., 3rd District) said he wants to see justice delivered for Dignadice that is why he has also reached out to Napolcom to join in the investigation.
The full force of the law must be meted on the culprit, he said.*