PNP creates task force to probe death of PLDT exec’s wife

MANILA, Philippines – Police formed a special group to investigate the death of Gloria Gonzales, wife of a Philippine Long Distance Co (PLDT) executive who was found dead in her car in Laguna on Sunday, June 28.

The task force, composed of Laguna and Cavite police, will be led by Senior Superintendent Archie Gamboa, deputy regional director for operations in Calabarzon.

“For now, we are still consolidating all the evidence regarding the case,” said Senior Superintendent Florendo Saligao, provincial director of Laguna.

Investigators are also tracing back the crime from the time she was reported missing in Parañaque, her last mobile transmission from Cavite, and when her body was found in Laguna, Saligao said in a phone interview.

Police have also started questioning possible witnesses to the case, but declined to divulge any more information.

Saligao added that they will also question the Gonzales family as part of the investigation, but the family requested police to investigate them after Gonzales’ burial. 

Police said they are still looking at robbery as a possible motive, but they are still open to other angles.

Gonzales was reported to sell jewelry; however, no jewelry was found in her Toyota Innova, according to police.

“After collecting all evidence, questioning witnesses and backtracking, that’s the only time we can determine the motive for the crime,” Saligao said.

Gonzales is the wife of John Gonzales, PLDT vice president and head of corporate relationship management.

Her husband reported her missing on Thurday, June 25.

Three days later, police found her body in the back seat of her car, which was parked along J Gonzales Street in Barangay San Vicente, Biñan, Laguna.

One of the residents complained about a foul smell coming from the car. When the police opened the back seat, Gonzales’ body was found covered in a blanket and plastered with duct tape on her feet, hands, and mouth. – Rappler.com