The family of slain woman Kristine Joy Dignadice filed yesterday an administrative complaint against a Bacolod City police officer who surrendered and admitted to killing her.

“Pinatuloy ko pa siya sa bahay namin, pina-kape ko pa. Saka ko lang nalaman na siya pala ‘yung pumatay — g***,” said Dignadice’s sister, Mary Grace, during a media briefing after filing the complaint at the National Police Commission (Napolcom).

Dignadice, a single mother of a 10-year-old boy, was reported missing on October 29 after her car was discovered abandoned and with bloodstains in Sitio So-ol, Barangay Gargato, Hinigaran, Negros Occidental.

Three days later, her decomposing body was found in a sugarcane field in Barangay Don Jorge Araneta, Bago City.

Her brother, Salvador Joshua Dignadice, said he spoke with the suspect at the detention cell, who told him that his gun fired after being accidentally tapped by the victim.

However, he dismissed the suspect’s claims of a lovers’ quarrel and accidental discharge.

“‘Yung actions ng pulis na ‘to is very brutal,” he said.

“Meron siyang ginagawa na parang cover-up … hinubaran niya pa ‘yung bangkay tapos pinabukaka niya pa ‘yung paa ng kapatid ko para mag-pretend na ni-rape siya.”

The Dignadice family was assisted by Negros Occidental 3rd District Representative Javier Miguel Benitez, who joined them in condemning the crime.

“Imagine, this is done by a police officer who supposedly swore to protect lives,” said Benitez.

Following the filing of the formal complaint, Napolcom’s Inspection, Monitoring and Investigation Service will proceed with the evaluation and investigation.

Napolcom Vice Chairperson and Executive Officer Rafael Vicente Calinisan ordered that the case be expedited and the police officer be prosecuted.

“This is clear murder for us. That policeman should be made accountable. Huwag na nating pahabain ‘to,” he said.

“Kailangan ipakita ang pangil ng batas.” (ABS-CBN News)