PNP assures to resolve Tarlac twin slay case within 30 days
MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police-Internal Affairs Services (PNP-IAS) assured that they would finish within 30 days the investigation on the police officer who shot his neighbors in Paniqui, Tarlac.
PNP-IAS Inspector General Atty. Alfegar Triambulo said there is substantial evidence to hold Senior Master Sergeant Jonel Nuezca accountable for the incident.
“Ang substantial evidence po ay sapat na tayo’y maniwala na siya ay may kasalanan. Kitang-kita naman po, kaya sabi ko nga, base diyan [sa video] ay guilty na pero bigyan po natin siya ng due process dahil yan po ay karapatan niya base sa saligang batas, (There is substantial evidence for us to believe he is guilty. It is clearly seen on the video. Based on it, he is guilty. But let us give him due process because that is his right based on the Constitution),” he said during a phone interview.
Once Nuezca is proven guilty of grave misconduct, he can be dismissed from service. His benefits would be removed, and will no longer be allowed to work in any government agency.
Nuezca was seen in a viral video shooting his neighbors, 52-year-old Sonya Gregorio and her 25-year-old son Frank Anthony Gregorio, at point-blank range on Sunday (December 20).
Meanwhile, PNP Spokesperson PBGen. Ilderbrandi Usana said Nuezca misused his firearm. In a phone interview, the PNP official explained that policemen should not immediately employ necessary force, especially when using firearms. He also said police are trained to control their emotions.
“Wala pong sufficient provocation doon po sa pangyayaring iyon. Kahit na po alipustain siya o masasakit na pananalita mayroon siyang training that controls his emotion at hindi siya magpapadala sa ano mang akusasyon sa kaniya dahil pulis po siya, (There is no sufficient provocation during the incident. Even if [Nuezca] was mocked or received hurtful words, he is trained to control his emotions and he should not get provoked by any accusations against him because he is a police officer),” Usana said.
Policemen, he added, also have other means to arrests individuals without resorting to using their firearms. These include negotiations, unarmed self-defense techniques, or the use of non-lethal weapons.
Regular neuro-psychiatric tests are also being conducted by the PNP to determine the capacity and mental well-being of its troops. AAC (with reports from Lea Ylagan)
