Cop in Tarlac shooting demoted — DILG

MANILA, Philippines —  Police Senior Master Sergeant Jonel Nuezca, who was charged for the murder of a mother and her son in Tarlac province, was demoted by the National Police Commission (Napolcom), the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) said Tuesday.

“Yes, he [Nuezca] was. Napolcom demoted him,” DILG Undersecretary and spokesman Jonathan Malaya said in a text message to reporters.

Malaya added that Nuezca, assigned at the Parañaque police crime laboratory, was demoted for a grave misconduct complaint filed in 2014.

Nuezca shot to death Sonya Gregorio and her son Frank outside the victim’s house in Paniqui, Tarlac, after an argument.

The killing sparked public outrage online, prompting social media users to use hashtags condemning police abuse.

A case for two counts of murder was already lodged against Nuezca at the Regional Trial Court ng Branch 67 ng Paniqui, Tarlac.