[ad_1]
President Rodrigo Duterte ordered the Philippine National Police (PNP) to ensure that the policeman who killed a mother and her son in Paniqui, Tarlac, remained in jail and faced punishment.
In his weekly public address Monday night, Duterte admitted he was shocked to see the video of what he described as the “brutal” murder of Sonya Gregorio and her son Frank by Senior MSgt. Jonel Nuezca.
“You can sakit ito sa utak. Topak. I wonder why he was able to – nakalusot sa neuro (He’s sick in the head. Crazy. I wonder how he could pass the neuro [test]), ”Duterte said.
The president had repeatedly promised to protect cops if they killed criminals, but said abusive cops like Nuezca would have to pay.
“’Di ba sinabi ko: Do it well, I am with you. You do it wrong and there will be hell to pay ”, he emphasized.
Do your duty, enforce the law. Your actions must be in accordance with the law. You don’t follow the law, magpatay ka diyan (if you kill), then I’m sorry, that’s not part of the agreement on how we should do our job, ”he said.
The president attacked abusive police officers, particularly those who tend to display their authority.
Nuezca has been charged with two counts of murder.
On Tuesday, the PNP’s Internal Affairs Service (SI) said it would speed up the firing of Nuezca.
IAS Chief Inspector General Alfegar Triambulo said he would personally monitor the progress of the case.
He added that the video taken during the incident was helpful in the course of the investigation.
Triambulo said that Nuezca’s benefits would be lost once he was fired.
Also Tuesday, Palace spokesman Harry Roque Jr. said the government would study how the police’s recruitment policy could be improved to ensure that only the best and the brightest enter the force.
“We always look for ways to get the best and the brightest (we always find ways to get only the best and the brightest),” he said.
Not isolated
The Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption (VACC) on Tuesday rejected the claim of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the PNP that the shooting in Tarlac was an isolated incident.
VACC President Aresenio Evangelista said the incident “cannot be seen as an isolated case,” citing several cases of murders involving police officers.
“Just a few months ago, police officers shot and killed four army officers on a terrorist terrorist tracking mission in Sulu. We also have the case of Winston Ragos during the confinement, ”he told The Manila Times.
“Police brutality is police brutality; it is nothing new, so it must always be addressed and confronted in the interest of public trust, peace and order. This is a mandate that all law enforcement agencies swore to protect, so that we do not forget it, “he added.
Evangelista said the VACC called for the immediate dismissal of Nuezca, who was also reported to have a long history of pending cases and violations.
In 2019, two cases of serious misconduct for homicide were filed against the police, but these were dismissed “due to lack of substantial evidence.”
The president of the VACC called on the DILG, the PNP and the National Police Commission (Napolcom) “to evaluate and train police personnel, or any armed officer, in the exercise of their sworn duty to serve and protect the public. “.
“Napolcom should investigate pending administrative cases of police officers and other government law enforcement officials and urge the Ombudsman to expedite the resolution of these cases,” he said.
He noted that the VACC “strongly condemned the murder” and emphasized that the PNP, as a pillar of the criminal justice system, must be aware of its role in protecting the public.
“Killing a mother, an old woman and her child in those circumstances is simply depraved and unforgivable,” Evangelista said.
“It is a question of moral evaluations. If you cannot act and think responsibly as a law enforcement officer, as a parent, and as a neighbor, what effect will that have on your own children and your community? “he continued.
With reports from CATHERINE S. VALENTE AND DARWIN PESCO
[ad_2]
