MANILA, Philippines — Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Police General Debold Sinas on Monday (January 11) announced the dismissal of Police Master Sergeant Jonel Nuezca from police service.

Nuezca has been charged with double murder for fatally shooting Sonia Gregorio, 52, and her son, Frank Anthony Gregorio, 25, in Paniqui, Tarlac on December 20 during an altercation over an improvised canon.

Sinas said the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) already approved the dismissal.

“I would like to announce that the admin case of police staff Sgt. Jonel Nuezca is already resolved. He is meted with administrative penalty of dismissal from service effective today (January 11). This was already implemented by the RD NCRPO, Brig. Gen. Vic Danao,” he said.

Meanwhile, the court hearing for the criminal case against Nuezca will continue. Nuezca is currently facing two counts of murder and was already arraigned on January 7. He has pleaded not guilty to the charges against him. The next hearing for the case is scheduled for February 4. AAC (with reports from Lea Ylagan)

MANILA, Philippines —  The police officer involved in the twin shooting incident in Paniqui, Tarlac has pleaded “not guilty” of committing the crime.

Police SMSgt. Jonel Nuezca was arraigned at the Paniqui, Tarlac Regional Trial Court Branch 106 on Thursday (January 7). Nuezca was not able to personally attend the court since he is still under quarantine, but pleaded ‘not guilty’ to the killing of 52-year-old Sonya Gregorio and her 25-year-old son, Frank Anthony Gregorio.

The victim’s kin expressed disbelief and anger over the said plea.

“Siyempre nabigla ako kasi talagang kalaban siya. Humihingi nga siya ng ano pagkatapos nag-not guilty siya […] Maraming galit, para bang walang ginawa,“ the victims’ husband and father, Florentino Gregorio said.

Nuezca, shot the victims amid a heated argument that started over an improvised canon.

In the now viral video, the shooting incident happened after the young daughter of the policeman who shouted “my father is a policeman” was mocked by Sonya. This appeared to have triggered the cop to pull his gun and shoot the two victims at point-blank range.

The next scheduled hearing for Nuezca’s double murder is on February 4.

Meanwhile, Philippine National Police-Internal Affairs Service (PNP-IAS) already recommended the dismissal of Nuezca. According to IAS Inspector General Alfegar Triambulo, they have submitted the recommendation to National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) Chief Major General Vicente Danao.

Nuezca is currently detained in the crime laboratory Parañaque City. AAC (with reports from Bryan Lacanlale)

MANILA, Philippines – The two minors who witnessed the fatal shooting of a mother and her son by a policeman in Paniqui, Tarlac have been placed under government protection after they have submitted their sworn affidavit, Philippine National Police (PNP) chief General Debold Sinas said Thursday.

Sinas said the guardians of the two minors who took the video of the shooting incident have agreed to allow their children to testify in exchange for their security.

The PNP chief said he personally talked to the parents of these minors to convince them to let the children testify against Police Master Sergeant Jonel Nuezca.

“Ako mismo ang nakiusap sa kanila, kinausap ko yung parents at guardian ng dalawang bata na sana tulungan kami para mapalakas yung kaso. So, nakumbinsi namin po yung mga parents po ng mga bata na tutulungan kami kapalit po sa pag-alaga namin sa security nila,” Sinas said.

The minors, aged 12 and 16 years old have been placed under PNP’s Witness Protection Program.

The mobile phone used to capture the video has also been turned over to the PNP’s cybercrime group.

“Yung video po, nasa batas po na hindi po ‘yan magiging ebidensya kung hindi po natin mapakita kung sino ang kumuha. Dapat merong mag-testify na siya ang may-ari nung cellphone o machine at siya ang kumuha,” Sinas said.

Last Sunday, Nuezca shot mother and son, identified as 52-year old Sonya Gregorio and 25-year old Frank Anthony, following an argument that started over an improvised canon.

He is currently in the custody of the Chief of Police of Paniqui, Tarlac and is facing  charges of two counts of murder.

“Malakas po yung kaso against kay Nuezca kasi meron na pong 2 eye witnesses na kasama doon,” Sinas said.

“Of course, yung baril kasi nung sumurrender siya, yung baril po ay nag-match siya doon sa empty shells at saka slugs na narecover sa crime scene at tsaka yung forensic sa kamay nya ay positibo po, yung video yun yung magpapalakas lalo ng kaso sa kanya,” he added.

The PNP Internal Affairs Service earlier said it hopes to resolve Nuezca’s case within 30 days. – RRD (with details from Correspondent Joan Nano)