Manila 1st district Rep. Manuel Luis Lopez is eyeing a measure that would institutionalize regular mental health checks for law enforcers.
(Official Gazette / File photo / MANILA BULLETIN)
"Any law enforcement agent should have a periodic test on their mental health and status. I will draft a bill to that effect when we resume (sessions)," Lopez, chairman of the Committee on Metro Manila Development, said Wednesday.
This was in reaction to the shocking double-murder last Sunday in Tarlac wherein the suspect was 46-year-old Police Senior Master Sergeant Jonel Nuezca. Nuezca has since surrendered to authorities.
"Definitely, he has mental imbalance and (it shows) there is a mandatory need for neuro and psycho tests for all law enforcers," the congressman said of the killer cop.
Slain over a petty argument regarding the use of boga (improvised noise-making cannon) were Sonya Gregorio, 52, and her son Frank Anthony Gregorio, 25. They were the policeman's neighbors.
Nuezca was accosting the unarmed victims when he--supposedly irked at what Sonya said to his young daughter, who was standing nearby--suddenly drew a handgun and shot both Gregorios in the head, twice. The entire incident, which took place in broad daylight in Paniqui town, was caught on video.
Lopez expressed disgust over the Philippine National Police member's actions.
"A rogue policeman who should be enforcing the law but breaks it should pay the ultimate penalty and face the full force of the law. A savage lawbreaker has no place in this society," he said of Nuezca.
The 300-strong House of Representatives is currently on its holiday break. Sessions are scheduled to resume on January 18, 2021.