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PANIQUI, PHILIPPINES (REUTERS) – Hundreds attended the funeral on Sunday (Dec. 27) 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, sparking public outrage over police brutality.
Members of the public joined as family and friends in Tarlac province, north of Manila, to pay 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 Ms. Avelina San José, a relative of the Gregorio family. “He should face the consequences of the law,” he said.
Duterte, who has spoken out about killing criminals and made promises to protect law enforcement while waging a war on drugs and crime, condemned the shooting and warned that “there will be hell to pay” for rogue officers.
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