Fr. Robert Reyes, also known as the “running priest,” condoles with Florentino Gregorio, widower, and father of the victims of the twin murders in Paniqui, Tarlac. Reyes and a group of lawyers in Quezon City offered free legal aid to the family. (Photo by Maria Adelaida Calayag)
PANIQUI, Tarlac –– Activist and “running priest” Fr. Robert Reyes on Wednesday visited the wake of the victims of the brutal killings here, offering prayers and condolences.
Reyes also condemned the killings of Sonya Rufino Gregorio, 52, and her son Frank Anthony Rufino Gregorio, 25.
The suspect, Police Master Sargeant Jonel Nuezca, is still in the custody of the Paniqui municipal police station pending a commitment order from the court.
“Violence of any kind coming from officers of the law is not acceptable, even before this administration,” the priest said.
He added: “We’ve been condemning this culture of violence, so if something like this is tolerated and not thoroughly investigated for what it really is, it could be just one of the many cases that can be forgotten,” Reyes told the Inquirer.
Reyes was joined by lawyers Francis Mangrobang and Tadeo Ramos Culla from Quezon City and another priest, Fr. Flavie Villanueva, head of justice, peace, integrity of creation of the Society of the Divine Word.
The two lawyers belong to the Initiatives for Dialogue Empowerment through Alternative Legal Services (IDEALS) Inc.
IDEALS addresses the legal and technical needs of the marginalized, disempowered, farmers, and other victims of human rights violations.
Villanueva, who also heads Paghilom, a program that helps the widows of EJK victims, offered the Gregorio family free legal assistance from IDEALS Inc.
Reyes also offered to help Ronalyn Cariaga, the widow of Frank, to get free medical aid for her heart ailment.