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PANIQUI, Philippines, Dec.27 (Reuters): Hundreds of people attended the funeral Sunday of a woman and her son shot to death by an off-duty police officer in the Philippines, a week after a video of the incident went viral on social media, prompting the public outrage at the police brutality.
Members of the public rallied as family and friends in Tarlac province, north of Manila, and paid their last respects to Sonya Gregorio, 52, and her 25-year-old son, Frank Gregorio, who were shot in the head. after a noise fight.
The shooting, which was recorded on a mobile phone by a member of the Gregorio family, sparked accusations from critics and human rights activists that President Rodrigo Duterte’s war on drugs had created a culture of police impunity.
The video saw police officer Jonel Nuezca involved in a heated discussion with the Gregorios about using a homemade noise-making device normally used to celebrate the New Year, before shooting the mother and her son.
Nuezca turned himself in to police the night of the incident and faces two counts of murder.
The government has promised a thorough investigation.
The family of the victims has forgiven Nuezca but still demands justice, said Avelina San José, a relative of the Gregorio family.
“He should face the consequences of the law,” he said.
Duterte, who has talked about killing criminals and has made promises to protect law enforcement while waging a war on drugs and crime, condemned the shooting and warned “There will be hell to pay” for rogue officers. – Reuters
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