Make sure he rots in jail, Lacson tells PNP after cop shoots 2 civilians in Tarlac

The Philippine National Police (PNP) should use the full extent of the law in bringing justice to the victims of the shooting perpetrated by a policeman in Tarlac, Senator Panfilo Lacson said Monday.

"If what's on video tells the whole story, I enjoin the Philippine National Police leadership to show no mercy. They should spare no effort to make sure that he rots in jail. He's the last policeman that they need in the force," Lacson, a former PNP chief, said in a statement.

Following the incident, Lacson recommended that all police officers should turn in their issued firearms to their unit's armorer when they are off-duty.

"That said, they should not be issued Permits to Carry Firearms Outside Residence while still in the active service," Lacson said.

"The PNP should always uphold its motto 'To Serve and Protect.' That includes taking appropriate steps to protect our people from scalawags in their ranks, whether they are on duty or not," he added.

On Sunday, Police Senior Master Sergeant Jonel Nuezca, a cop from Parañaque City, shot a mother and a son in Paniqui, Tarlac in the middle of an altercation over right of way.

Based on initial police investigation, the quarrel between the suspect and the victims stemmed from an explosion of a PVC cannon or "boga".

"Magkapitbahay lang sila. Narinig ng pulis. Nagpunta siya sa bahay ng biktima at nagkaroon sila ng pagtatalo," Police Lieutenant Colonel Noriel Rombaoa, chief of Paniqui Police Station, said.

"Then naungkat 'yung matagal nilang alitan tungkol sa right of way. Doon nagsimula ang pagtatalo nila na umabot na sa pamamaril ng ating suspek," he said.

Both victims were shot twice in the head.

Nuezca already turned himself in to the police and is facing double murder charges. — Dona Magsino/RSJ, GMA News