Mayor condemns deadly shooting incident in Tarlac

Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas condemned in the “strongest possible terms” the gruesome shooting incident in Tarlac City involving a police officer last Sunday, December 20.

As law officers who are authorized to carry firearms, Treñas reiterated that stringent measures should be put in place by the Philippine National Police (PNP) to prevent a repeat of the incident.

“We condemn in the strongest possible terms the double murder committed by a PNP officer in broad daylight. Being officers of the law authorized to carry firearms, stringent measures should be put in place by the PNP leadership to ensure the safety of our civilian population,” he said in a statement on Monday.

Two unarmed civilians, Sonya Gregorio and her son Frank, were shot dead by Police Senior Staff Sergeant Jonel Nuezca on Sunday outside their house in Paniqui, Tarlac after a heated argument.

The fatal shooting incident was captured on video and went viral on social media with netizens condemning the incident with the hashtags #StopTheKillingsPH, #JusticeForSonyaGregorio, and #EndPoliceBrutality.

Treñas also called for justice as he stressed the need to ensure that the rule of law will be respected and applied equally to all.

“It is time that we ensure that the rule of law be respected and applied equally to all especially in this heinous crime of double murder of two unarmed civilians. I join the collective outrage of the nation and of all peace-loving Filipinos in this incident. Let justice take its course!” he said.

In his regular message to the nation on Monday, President Rodrigo Duterte, while describing the incident as “brutal”, said that the shooting incident is only an isolated case.

“Isa lang itong klase ng pulis na ito. May sakit ito sa utak. Topak,” he said.

He also reminded police authorities to act following the mandate of the law.

“You do not follow the law, mag-salvage ka, mag-patay ka, then I’m sorry. That is not part of our agreement on how we should do our work,” he said.

Nuezca was indicted for double murder on Monday. (ERS)