MANILA, Philippines — The eldest sister of slain Sonya Gregorio rued selling a portion of their land in Paniqui, Tarlac to murder suspect Police Senior Master Sergeant Jonel Nuezca.
In an interview with Radyo Inquirer on Thursday, Rosario Gundran, owner of the property which sparked the argument between their family and Nuezca’s family, said she does not regret putting their land on sale. However, she regretted selling it to Nuezca.
“Ang pagsisisi sa pagbenta ng lupa, di ako nagsisisi anak… Ang pinagsisisihan ko bakit ang nakabili pa ng lupa ganyan, bakit ganyan na tao,” said Gundran.
(I do not regret selling the property. What I regret is why I sold it to that kind of person.)
Nuezca on December 20 fatally shot 52-year-old Sonya and her 25-year-old son Frank Anthony Gregorio during a heated confrontation after victims allegedly fired a “boga” or a noisemaker.
However, police also reported that the two families are involved in a land dispute regarding the right of way.
Gundran also pleaded not to dismiss the cases filed against Nuezca.
“Sana naman, eto lang ang panalangin ko at hinihingi ko, wag nilang payagan na ma dismiss lang ang kaso na ito dahil baka mas maraming buhay ang kukunin niya. May mga pinatay na siya, kung anu-ano pa ang mga kaso niya nadidismiss,” she said.
(This is my only prayer and wish, I hope they will not let this case be dismissed. He might claim more lives. He killed someone, other cases against him were also dismissed.)
“Palagay ko naman di siya ganon kayaman para bayaran na madismiss niya yung kaso ko. Pwede ring ganon kung may tutulong sa kanya, pero di ba sila tao? Wala ba silang buhay? Mahirap anak, mahirap,” she added.
(I think he is not that wealthy to pay for the dismissal of his case. It is possible if someone will help him do it, but are they not humans? Do they not have any lives?)
On Wednesday, Tarlac Police chief Noriel Rombaoa said Nuezca was “tearful” as he expressed remorse for the crime he committed.
However, Gundran said that even though the cop showed guilt over the killings, the incident still happened.
“Kahit sampung libong (beses) pa siya magsisi sa ginawa niya wala na, nangyari na.”
(Even if he repent for his actions for ten thousand times, [the murders] already happened.)