An official of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) has condemned the killing of an unarmed mother and son by a policeman in Tarlac City.
“This bloodshed in broad daylight, witnessed by family members, should not have happened in the first place had we let peaceful reconciliation, not hot-tempered emotion prevail,” said CBCP - Episcopal Commission on Social Action, Justice, and Peace Chairman Bishop Jose Colin Bagaforo in a statement.
“Hence our strong condemnation of such abhorrent act, which should have no place in our society!,” he added.
To note, Sonya Gregorio, and her son, Frank Anthony, were shot dead by Police Senior Master Sergeant Jonel Nuezca in Paniqui, Tarlac last Dec. 20.
Bagaforo also offered his sympathies to the Gregorio family.
“We mourn with the family of the victims of the shooting incident in Tarlac. We pray that in this very difficult times, may they find peace, solace and strength from one another, and their community,” he said.
The prelate also called for the quick resolution of the case.
“We also demand for the speedy resolution of the case so justice be rightfully served,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Diocese of Tarlac expressed readiness to provide assistance to the Gregorio family.
“I am putting Caritas Tarlac, the social arm of the Diocese of Tarlac at the service of the family of the victims to provide any possible assistance,” said Tarlac Bishop Enrique Macaraeg in a separate statement.
The prelate also noted that “murder is wrong any way we look at it” and “killing is a sin against God and against humanity.”
“Similar killings have been happening around us. Some of them happened without a video to record them,” said Macaraeg.
“Whether ousted on social media or done hidden without a witness, killing is a sin. God sees all these killings. There is no escape from God’s punishment. Killing is wrong. Murder is evil,” he added.