PNP fires cop in viral slay of mom and son

BY AARON RECUENCO

The policeman, who was seen in a viral video shooting a 52-year-old mother and her son at close range in Paniqui, Tarlac, was dismissed from the service, more than three weeks after the incident.

Gen. Debold Sinas, chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP), said the dismissal from the police service of Staff Sgt. Jonnel Nuezca is effective on Monday, January 11, based on the recommendation of the Internal Affairs Service.

“I would like to announce that the admin case of police staff Sgt. Jonnel Nuezca is already resolved. He is meted with administrative penalty of dismissal from service effective today (January 11). This was already implemented by the RD NCRPO, Brig. Gen. Vic Danao,” said Sinas in a press briefing at Camp Crame in Quezon City on Monday.

Sinas earlier vowed to dismiss Nuezca from the service within 30 days after the cold-blooded shooting on December 20, its video that was captured by the relatives of the Gregorios went viral in the social media.

“As to the criminal cases, it is still ongoing,” said Sinas.

IAS Inspector general Alfegar Triambulo said on Sunday that he had already recommended the dismissal of Nuezca as the result of the investigation revealed his liability on the administrative case of grave misconduct leveled against him in connection with the shooting.

The recommendation was submitted to the Regional Director of the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) as Nuezca was assigned to the Crime Laboratory based in Paranaque City.

Nuezca was charged with two counts of grave misconduct and two counts of conduct unbecoming of a police officer.

Triambulo added that Nuezca’s admission in his position paper that he shot the two victims, Sonya Gregorio and her son Frank, also served as the basis of their recommendation for dismissal.

Interestingly, Nuezca pleaded not guilty on the two cases of murder filed against him before a Regional Trial Court in Paniqui. (Aaron Recuenco)