PNP assures justice for victims of cop in Tarlac shooting

PNP chief, Gen. Debold Sinas. (PNA File photo)

MANILA – Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief, Gen. Debold Sinas, on Monday assured justice for the family of the mother and son who were gunned down by a police officer in Paniqui, Tarlac.

Sinas assured an impartial investigation on the incident involving the suspect, Senior M/Sgt. Jonel Nuezca, 46, and the victims, identified as Sonya Gregorio and her son, Frank Anthony.

Nuezca, who went home to Paniqui, Tarlac has been disarmed and is now in the custody of the Tarlac Provincial Police Office.

“The PNP does not and will never condone any criminal act of our police officers, in particular the case involving PSSg Nuezca, as criminal action has already been initiated by the chief of police of (the) Paniqui MPS (municipal police station) in Tarlac where the subject policeman is now placed in detention,” Sinas said in a press conference in Camp Crame.

He said Nuezca has previously faced cases but these were dismissed due to lack of evidence.

“He has previous cases in May 2019. He faced a grave misconduct case but that was dismissed. There was another case of grave misconduct against him in December 2016 but it was also dismissed. He has also a case of non-appearance to court duties, which was also dismissed. There was another case of less grave misconduct against him in 2013 but it was also dismissed,” Sinas said.

He, however, said Nuezca was meted out a 21-day suspension for a less grave misconduct case in 2014.

“The two grave misconduct cases against him that were investigated by the Internal Affairs Service (IAS) were due to homicide. All of these were dismissed because of lack of evidence and witnesses to push through with the admin(istrative) cases. So more or less, there is no criminal case filed against him,” Sinas said.

An investigation will be conducted by the PNP IAS to ensure the quick resolution of the summary hearing case against Nuezca for his immediate dismissal from the service, he added.

“The PNP leadership strongly condemns to the highest order the criminal act committed by one of our police personnel that had gone viral. Words are not enough to assuage the feelings of the bereaved family of the victims, Mrs. Sonya Gregorio, and her son, Frank. But we assure them and the Filipino people that justice will be served,” Sinas said.

He also noted that the incident was an isolated act of criminality that does not reflect the PNP’s policies and practice.

“In no way will such an incident affect the sworn duty of the 221,000 police personnel to serve and protect our people. Our organization remains committed to carry out our mandate and we will always be ready to selflessly provide our people the services that they deserve from their Philippine National Police,” Sinas said.

According to Lt Col. Noriel Rombaoa, chief of the Paniqui police, Nuezca was brought to the Tarlac Provincial Prosecutor’s Office for inquest proceedings.

The suspect surrendered to the police in Rosales, Pangasinan on Monday.

“We are trying to study why it happens very sudden. Good thing is nag-surrender ‘yung pulis natin sa (our police officer surrendered in) Rosales. I think when I discussed with a neuropsychiatrist, we might have also a new study on anger management on our people. This is why I issued instructions directly to commanders to please remind our people to hold their anger in any situation to avoid a repeat of the incident,” Rombaoa said.

The report added that the two victims were shot during an altercation over the right of way.

Based on the video that went viral on social media, Nuezca was caught on camera killing Sonya Gregorio and Frank Anthony in Barangay Cabayaoasan in Paniqui on Sunday.

Meanwhile, Interior Secretary Eduardo M. Año on Monday strongly condemned the incident.

“The formal investigation into the incident has commenced and we assure the family and the public that the PNP and the National Police Commission will conduct a thorough, impartial, and swift investigation,” Año said in a statement.

He said the interior department would ensure that justice would be given to the family of the victims and that administrative and criminal cases would be filed against Nuezca.

“We do not and will never tolerate such acts and we will make sure that he will account for his crimes. I have likewise directed PNP Chief P/Gen. Debold Sinas to extend assistance to the family of the victims at this time of bereavement,” Año said.

He reminded police officers to remain calm at all times, to control their emotions, and to conduct themselves in a manner befitting their position as agents of the law.

“This is an unfortunate but isolated incident. While there are unfortunate incidents like this, the vast majority of our PNP personnel perform their sworn duties every day with honor and integrity to protect and serve the people. The sin of Nuezca is not the sin of the entire Philippine National Police. As we have seen during this pandemic, they place their very lives on the line as front-liners in our Covid-19 response,” Año said.