MANILA, Philippines — The police officer involved in the twin shooting incident in Paniqui, Tarlac has pleaded “not guilty” of committing the crime.
Police SMSgt. Jonel Nuezca was arraigned at the Paniqui, Tarlac Regional Trial Court Branch 106 on Thursday (January 7). Nuezca was not able to personally attend the court since he is still under quarantine, but pleaded ‘not guilty’ to the killing of 52-year-old Sonya Gregorio and her 25-year-old son, Frank Anthony Gregorio.
The victim’s kin expressed anger over the said plea.
“Siyempre nabigla ako kasi talagang kalaban siya. Humihingi nga siya ng ano pagkatapos nag-not guilty siya,“ the victims’ husband and father, Florentino Gregorio said.
Nuezca, shot the victims amid a heated argument that started over an improvised canon.
In the now viral video, the shooting incident happened after the young daughter of the policeman who shouted “my father is a policeman” was mocked by Sonya. This appeared to have triggered the cop to pull his gun and shoot the two victims at point-blank range.
The next scheduled hearing for Nuezca’s double murder is on February 4.
Meanwhile, Philippine National Police-Internal Affairs Service (PNP-IAS) already recommended the dismissal of Nuezca. According to IAS Inspector General Alfegar Triambulo, they have submitted the recommendation to National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) Chief Major General Vicente Danao.
Nuezca is currently detained in the crime laboratory Parañaque City. AAC (with reports from Bryan Lacanlale)
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