Tarlac bishop on murders: ‘Impunity has become so ingrained’

PANIQUI, TARLAC–Tarlac Bishop Enrique Macaraeg on Tuesday (Dec. 22) condemned the shooting by a policeman of a woman and her son in this town, in a case that has gone viral on social media, saying the killing was “wrong” and “evil.”

The murders, which happened as the country prepared for Christmas, “makes us bow in shame, guilt and shock,” the Church leader said in a statement.

Senior MSgt. Jonel Nuezca had surrendered to police and was already indicted for the killings of Sonya Rufino Gregorio, 52 and Frank Anthony Rufino Gregorio, 25.

Bishop Macaraeg said the slain mother-and-son “were unarmed and the mother was seeking peace.”

“The suspect was a man tasked to stop killings. Impunity has become ingrained as we saw the daughter, having taunted the mother and son, walking away unaffected by the murder,” Bishop Macaraeg said.

Caritas Tarlac, the social arm of the diocese, was tapped to provide assistance to the family of the victims, he said.

“Whether posted on social media or done hidden without a witness, killing is a sin. God sees all these killings. there is no escape from God’s punishment,” he added.

TSB