Senator Ramon "Bong" Revilla Jr. on Monday called for the reimposition of death penalty following the brutal killing of a mother and her son by a policeman in Paniqui, Tarlac.
Revilla said dismissal Police Master Sergeant Jonel Nuezca from the police service is not enough to give justice for 52-year-old Sonya Gregorio and her 25-year-old son, Frank Anthony, who he killed in cold blood during a confrontation on Sunday, December 20.
"Kung may parusa lang na bitay (If only there is death penalty)," Revilla said in a statement condemning Nuezca.
"This is one compelling case for the reinstitution of the death penalty," he continued.
"Hindi ka tao kung magagawa mong pumatay ng ganun lang, at sa harap pa mismo ng iyong anak. Tapos lalakad lang kayo palayo na parang walang nangyari. (You are not human if you can kill people easily in front of your child. And if you can walk away from it like nothing happened)," he added.
Revilla also slammed some police officers who appeared to be defending Nueza's crime on social media, calling on the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM) to also investigate them.
"Pati itong mga pulis na nagtanggol pa kay Nuezca, na isa-isa rin namang nagbura ng kanilang mga post matapos mapuna, dapat imbestigahan din ng PNP at Napolcom. Dapat lahat ng 'yan i-evaluate ulit at ipa-neuro. (These policemen who defended Nuezca who each ended up deleting their posts after they were called out, the PNP and the NAPOLCOM should also investigate them. They should all be re-evaluated and be subjected to a neuro-psychiatric examination)," he appealed.
He also asked the PNP leadership to explain how come Nuezca was kept in service despite his records, which involved two cases involving homicide last year.
A record of Nuezca's administrative cases sent to media Monday showed that Nuezca was charged with grave misconduct for homicide on May 9, and December 29, 2019. Both cases were dismissed "for lack of substantial evidence".
Other cases filed against him were neglect of duty, for failing to attend a court hearing in 2016, and for refusing to undergo drug test and leaving the testing area in 2014 which resulted in his suspension for 31 days.
He was also suspended for 10 days in 2010 for an undisclosed reason.
Senator Panfilo Lacson, former PNP chief, said that while Nuezca managed to get away from his previous cases since these were dropped or dismissed, the refusal niya to undergo drug test "should have prodded PNP or NAPOLCOM to monitor his activities as he might be a drug user at least".
"The PNP should review its standards. Hindi dapat hinahayaan ang mga bulok sa organisasyon dahil nadadamay lahat. Kung pababayaan nila ang mga bugok, makakahawa pa 'yan at ayan, nakikita na natin ang resulta. (Rotten eggs should not be allowed into organization because affects the institution. If we just let them loose, they will infect others, and now we are seeing its effect)," Revilla also said.