Cop in mother, son killing indicted for two counts of murder

MANILA, Philippines — The Provincial Prosecutor’s Office in Tarlac has found probable cause to file two counts of murder complaints against Police Senior Master Sergeant Jonel Nuezca, who shot dead a mother and her son.

“Upon determination of the validity of respondent’s arrest, the inquest proceeding ensued, based on affidavits and supporting documents and evidence submitted, there is probable cause to charge the respondent [Nuezca] for two counts of murder,” read the resolution dated Dec. 21.

The Tarlac prosecutor said Nuezca “willfully, unlawfully and feloniously, with evident premeditation, treachery and taking advantage of superior strength,” took the lives of Sonya Gregorio and her son Frank Gregorio at their house in the province.

Nuezca, assigned at the Parañaque City Police Crime Laboratory, went to the victims’ house in Barangay Cabayaoasan in Paniqui, Tarlac on Sunday (Dec. 20) afternoon, and shot them point-blank using his PNP service firearm following a heated argument.

In 2019, he faced cases of grave misconduct for homicide but was dismissed for lack of evidence.

The Department of Justice earlier denounced the law enforcer’s gruesome killing, saying “justice will be done” for the victims in the fatal shooting. [ac]