San Carlos Bishop Gerardo Alminaza said that the recent case of police brutality which enraged the people nationwide is a “symptom of gross impunity, now worn like an honor badge among some oppressive members of our police force.”
He pointed out there are still many cases not caught by video cameras, and that there are thousands of more families still crying for justice for their murdered parents, sons, and daughters.
On December 20, Senior Master Sergeant Jonel Nuezca, who was assigned at the Parañaque City Police Crime Laboratory, was caught on video killing his two neighbors, Sonya Gregorio and her son, Frank Anthony Gregorio, in Paniqui, Tarlac following a noise complaint that quickly escalated to a heated argument.
The two victims were unarmed when they were shot by the policeman at a point-blank range.
For Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson, the action of the policeman was a “no, no,” pointing out that he was not even on official duty.
“Assuming he lost his temper, it was no reason to fire on unarmed victims. It was a heated argument and should have stayed that way. The police officer should have just walked away,” he said.
The governor said the incident was “very unfortunate,” adding that President Rodrigo Duterte through Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque has said that he will not tolerate such action.
DISMISSAL PROCEEDINGS
Meanwhile, the Internal Affairs Service of the Philippine National Police is expecting to complete within 30 days the dismissal proceedings for Nuezca.
PNP-IAS Director General Alfegar Triambulo said the video taken during the incident was a big factor in their investigation.
Aside from dismissal from the service, Nuezca will be barred from working in the government because his eligibility will be forfeited, he said.
Nuezca is now facing charges for two counts of murder and an administrative case.*with reports from PNA