The police sergeant in the viral video of cold-bloodied killing of a mother and son in Paniqui town of Tarlac was meted with two life terms after he was found guilty of two counts of murder over the incident that occurred in December last year.
Aside from imprisonment penalty, former Police Staff Sergeant Jonel Nuezca was also ordered to pay almost P1 million in damage for the death of Sonia Gregorio and her son Frank Anthony Gregorio.
“Nuezca was found guilty beyond reasonable doubt for the crime of two counts of murder,” said Police Brig. Gen. Val de Leon, director of the Police Regional Office 3.
De Leon said Nuezca was also ordered by the local court to pay P476,280 as damages to the heirs of Sonia Gregoria and the same amount to the family of her son Frank.
"This development on the case of former Police Staff Sergeant Nuezca goes to show of equal justice to everyone and that the PNP does not condone any infraction or wrongdoing committed by any of its members. Any individual regardless of status must face the crimes they have committed; there is no exemption in enforcing the law," said de Leon.
Nuezca, formerly assigned to the National Capital Region Police Office with a rank of Police Staff Sergeant, was dismissed from the service almost two months after the incident that occurred in Barangay Cabayaosan in Paniqui town on December 20.
The shooting stemmed from a long-standing grudge between the family of Nuezca and the victims over a right of way in their area.
Prior to the shooting, relatives of Nuezca figured in a heated altercation with Frank who was accused of using a makeshift pyrotechnic materials near the house of the former cop.
Nuezca reportedly rushed to the area and also engaged in a verbal altercation with the victims.
The entire incident was captured in video, including the portion when Nuezca suddenly shot Sonia and her son in the head and pumped more bullets when they fell on the ground. (Liezle Basa Inigo)