The police sergeant in the viral video on the cold-bloodied murder of a mother and son in Paniqui town of Tarlac turned out to have already been slapped with two separate homicide cases last year.
Gen. Debold Sinas, chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP), said that two separate homicide charges were actually two of the five cases that were slapped against Police Senior Master Sgt. Jonel Nuezca since 2014 before the Internal Affairs Service (IAS).
“All of them were dismissed except for a case in 2016 for a less grave offense when he was suspended for 31 days,” said Sinas in a press briefing.
Among those that were dismissed, according to Sinas, were the homicide case that was filed in May, 2019, and another homicide case in December also last year.
The official said the two homicide cases were dismissed due to lack of evidence.
Nuezca was seen in the viral video shooting 52-year-old Sonya Gregorio and her 25-year-old son Frank Anthony in the head at close range. He was also seen pumping another bullet on the head of Sonya when she fell down on the pavement.
The viral video triggered shock and anger on social media and also elicited widespread anti-police sentiments.
Sinas said Nuezca is now under police custody and was already issued with automatic leave of absence that would cut him from receiving his monthly salary and allowances.
“This time, the evidence is very strong against him that is why he was already under our custody and will be charged,” said Sinas.