Bong Go strongly condemns killing of mother and son in Tarlac 

President Rodrigo Duterte and Senator Bong Go.

MANILA, Philippines – Senator Christopher “Bong” Go expressed his strong condemnation over the killing of Sonya Gregorio and her son, Frank Gregorio, in Paniqui, Tarlac on Sunday (December 20) by Jonel Nuezca, a police officer officially assigned in Parañaque City but is residing in the town.

“Galit rin si Pangulong (Rodrigo) Duterte sa nangyari. Mananagot ang bumaril,” Go said in a recent message to the media.

(President Rodrigo Duterte is also angry with what happened. The shooter is responsible.)

In his Talk to the People Address on Monday night, the President said that Nuezca would not escape the consequence of his actions.

“Isa lang itong klase ng pulis na ito. May sakit ito sa utak. Topak,” Duterte said, adding, “pati ako napanga-nga… brutal masyado.”

(This is just one type of cop. Something was wrong with his head…I was also shocked, it was brutal.)

“You do not follow the law, mag-salvage ka, mag-patay ka, then I’m sorry. That is not part of our agreement on how we should do our work,” Duterte stressed, reminding the police to do their duty and their actions must be following the law that they are mandated to enforce.

(You do not follow the law, you committed summary execution, then I’m sorry.)

During a radio interview earlier that day, Go condemned the killing of the Gregorios and said that he would not let the incident slide.

“Talagang hindi katanggap-tanggap ‘yung pagpatay ng brutal nung pulis sa mag-inang Sonya at Frank sa Paniqui, Tarlac kahapon. Hindi natin palalampasin po ito,” Go said.

(The brutal killing of Sonya and her son in Paniqui, Tarlac is really unacceptable. We will not let it slide.)

He also extended his sympathies to the victims’ family, adding that he and President Duterte will provide any form of assistance needed. He also assured them that justice would be served.

“Nakikiramay po ako sa naulilang pamilya at nagpaabot na po ako na tutulong po kami ni Pangulong (Rodrigo) Duterte. Papadala po ako ng tao dun. Kung ano po ang kailangan nila sa pagpapalibing at kung ano po ang kailangan ng pamilya nila ay tutulong po kami,” he said.

(I extend my condolences to the bereaved family. President (Rodrigo) Duterte and I will help. We will send someone there. What they need for burial and what their family needs, we will help.)

“Sisiguraduhin natin na mabibigyan po ng hustisya ang walang katuturang krimen na ito,” Go mentioned, adding that the internal cleansing of the Philippine National Police must continue to weed out errant cops from the good ones who make up the majority.

(We will make sure that the policeman responsible for this nonsensical crime can be brought to justice.)

The senator also called on the authorities for quick resolution of the case, adding that he has a lot of confidence in the police that they will not allow this to be whitewashed by their peers “because we know that the police are now really respected.”

He said the administration had come a long way in restoring the police’s dignity and further enhancing their ability to perform their duties.

While Go and Duterte continue to give their support for the police, Go said that they would not allow a few abusive ones to imperil the government’s reform and efforts to cleanse the police force, and harm the progress that had been made.

Go said in an earlier statement that the President fully supports the police as long as they are performing in the line of duty and if they did their job as a policeman in protecting the welfare of the majority.

“But we will not allow abusive people like this to destroy the reforms we are fighting for,” he emphasized.

Meanwhile, Go defended Duterte’s order to allow police officers to carry firearms, saying they also need to protect themselves. However, he stressed that this privilege comes with limits and responsibilities, and they are not allowed to use their guns against innocent civilians.

“Hindi po pwedeng gawin lang po basta-basta ng isang pulis ‘yan, armado sila, pinayagan nga sila ni Pangulong Duterte na magdala ng armas dahil marami pong mga pulis natin na walang kalaban-laban na-a-ambush po, minsan pag sumakay sila sa pampublikong sasakyan, eh, may mga lugar na rebelde ay sila po yung walang kalaban-laban na binabaril,” he said.

(A policeman cannot do that lightly; they are armed. President Duterte allowed them to carry weapons because many of our policemen are helpless during an ambush. Sometimes they ride on public transport. There are places where they are vulnerable to the rebel attacks.)

He said that now that the police officers are allowed to bring guns, they should not use the weapons for the oppression of innocent civilians like what happened in Tarlac.

Interior Secretary Eduardo Año has also condemned the incident, saying that it was an “isolated” crime and that “the sin of Nuezca is not the sin of the entire Philippine National Police.”

Go also emphasized the country’s police force’s important role in maintaining peace and order in the country.

However, the senator said that with this support, the police are expected to do their job well by properly enforcing the law and making sure the perpetrators of the crime will rot in jail.

“Away po ito na hindi naman po dapat humantong sa pagbubuwis po ng buhay. Kaya kung gaano po kami ka-full support ni Pangulong Duterte sa pulis — ngayon, talagang suportado namin ni Pangulong Duterte na mabulok po ito sa kulungan,” said Go.

(It was a neighbors’ feud that should not have led to the loss of lives… President Duterte and I really support calls that the killer cop should rot in jail.)