Dismissed cop in Tarlac shooting dies inside NBP

MANILA – A Parañaque cop who shot to death an unarmed mother and her son during a heated argument in Paniqui, Tarlac in December 2020 has died inside the New Bilibid Prison (NBP), Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) official said on Wednesday.

BuCor spokesperson Assistant Secretary Gabriel Chaclag confirmed that dismissed Police Senior Master Sergeant Jonel Nuezca died around 6:44 p.m. on Tuesday, saying the cause of his death is not immediately known.

“He was brought unconscious to the NBP Hospital by his cellmates at 6:30 PM yesterday (Nov 30, 2021) when they noticed that he collapsed on the floor of their dormitory. Investigation is ongoing to determine if there is foul play in the incident,” Chaclag said in a message to reporters.

Last August, Nuezca was found guilty of two counts of murder for killing Sonia Gregorio, 52, and her son, Frank Anthony, 25, five days before Christmas Day last year.

He was sentenced by Paniqui Regional Trial Court Branch 106 Judge Stela Marie Gandia-Asuncion to two reclusion perpetua for murder or up to 40 years imprisonment.

Nuezca, who was off-duty that time, confronted the Gregorios over the use of a “boga”, a homemade cannon that uses kerosene.

The video was taken by Sonia’s granddaughter using a mobile phone from the start of the argument until Nuezca pulled out his handgun and killed the two.

The Tarlac RTC also ordered Nuezca to pay PHP476,000 to each of the victim’s heirs for damages.