Sinas says sorry to family of victims shot by policeman in Tarlac

MANILA, Philippines — Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Debold Sinas said Thursday he apologized to the family of the victims of the twin shooting incident in Tarlac province involving a policeman when he visited the victims’ wake recently.

In an interview with ABS-CBN News Channel, Sinas said he went to the wake of Sonya Gregorio, 52, and her son Frank Anthony, 25, on Tuesday to condole with their family and to update them on the progress of the case against policeman Jonel Nuezca.

“Una, pumunta po ako doon para makiramay po, at of course manghingi po ng sorry ng nangyari sa kanila (First, I went there to condole with them, and of course to say sorry for what happened),”  said Sinas.

“Pangalawa po ay [para] i-update po sila ng progress ng investigation at para malaman nila na ang PNP po, ako na lalo, ay hindi po kami nagtotolerate sa ginawa ni Staff Sergeant Nuezca, and assured them of PNP support and security of their family. Nagbigay po kami sa kanila para maski papano maibsan po ang lungkot po nila,” he added.

(Second, I updated them on the progress of the investigation so that they will know that the PNP, and I myself, will not tolerate the actions of Staff Sergeant Nuezca. I also assured them of PNP support and security for their family. We also provided them financial aid so that their grief may be eased somehow.)

During his visit, Sinas said the PNP also provided policemen to secure the family.

Sinas said he also spoke with Florentino Gregorio, Sonya’s husband and Frank’s father.

“In-assure namin sila na ang buong kapulisan ay nasa kanila po at tutulong po para sa kaso,” he said when asked what he told the Gregorio patriarch.

(We assured that the entire police force is on their side and that we will help in the case.)

Meanwhile, the PNP chief also assured that the dismissal of Nuezca is currently undergoing process. “Walang settlement or anything. We will not compromise. Tuloy po ang kaso. Tuloy po ang dismissal ni Staff Sergeant Nuezca,” said Sinas.

(There was no settlement. We will not compromise. The case will proceed. Staff Sergeant Nuezca will be dismissed.)

JE