Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Police Gen. Debold Sinas has personally apologized to the Gregorio family in Paniqui, Tarlac after two of their kin were slain by an irate cop last Sunday.
Sinas, speaking in an interview over ANC Thursday, said he also took the opportunity to give "abuloy" or donation to the dead during his visit at the Gregorios' wake.
"Pumunta po ako doon para makiramay at of course maghingi po ng sorry sa nangyari sa kanila (I went there to condole with them and of course to apologize for what happened to them)," Sinas said.
"Also nagbigay po kami sa kanila para maski papaano maibsan yung lungkot nila (We also gave them a donation in order to temper their sadness somewhat)," he added. Sinas did not mention an amount.
The victims, Sonya Gregorio, 52, and her son Frank Anthony Gregorio, 25, were shot twice in the head in broad daylight by Police Master Sgt. Jonel Nuezca, their neighbor. The two apparently irked Nuezca over the use of “boga” – a armless, improvised cannon usually used during holiday revelry.
Nuezca, 46, is under police custody and is facing a double murder charge.
Sinas said they updated Sonya's widower on the progress of the investigation and assured them of PNP's support as well as the security of his family.
"Ang PNP po, ako na lalo ay hindi kami magtotolerate sa ginawa ni Nuezca (The PNP, and me especially, won't tolerate what Nuezca did)," Sinas stressed.
The PNP head honcho clarified in the interview that the donation they gave to the Gregorios wasn't a settlement or an attempt at such.
"Bale tulong po namin ‘yung personally sa kanila, parang abuloy po sa kanila para alam mo naman tayong Pilipino maski sino naman po ay nagbibigay ng abuloy at tulong sa pamilya. Wala po ‘yung settlement (That was our personal assistance to them, it's like our donation. It's in our nature as Filipinos to give assistance to any family. There is no settlement).”
"We are not settling anything, we will not compromise, tuloy po ang kaso at dismissal kay Nuezca (We will push for Nuezca's case and dismissal)," Sinas said.