Solons condemn killing of mother, son in Tarlac by cop

Lawmakers from the House of Representatives on Monday condemned the killing of a mother and her son in Paniqui, Tarlac by a police officer from Parañaque City.

In a statement, Bayan Muna party-list Representative Carlos Zarate demanded that these "senseless killings should stop now."

"This is what happens when the 'kill, kill, kill' culture becomes prevalent and reigning supreme  among the police and the military. This is the same system that also enabled this worsening state of impunity that is running amuck in our country today," Zarate said.

The fatalities were identified as Sonya Rufino Gregorio, 52, and Frank Anthony Rufino Gregorio, 25, both residents of Barangay Cabayaoasan.

The police officer was identified as Police Senior Master Sergeant Jonel Nuezca, 46.

The shooting was caught on video that has since went viral on social media.

Zarate said this incident "can hardly be considered an isolated incident," citing at least 13 other incidents of "police brutality" this year, including the shooting of Corporal Winston Ragos, the killing of activist Randall Echanis, and the "hijacking" of the funeral of Reina Nasino's baby.

"We demand justice for the Gregorios, for all the victims of extrajudicial killings and of police brutality," Zarate said.

"More than ever, we must be vigilant and ensure that this incident would not be whitewashed or be consigned as mere part of  the country's grim statistics of human rights violations," he added.

For her part, fellow Bayan Muna party-list Representative Eufemia Cullamat said Nueza should face the appropriate charges and the incident should not be left uninvestigated. 

"Ginawa nang normal ng mga kapulisan ang mamaril ng mga sibilyan na hindi naman dapat barilin. Hindi dapat palampasin ng walang imbestigasyon at karampatang parusa sa kanilang mga karumaldumal na mga ginawa ang ganitong krimen tulad ng kay Cpl. Jonel Nuezca," she said.

ACT Teachers party-list Representative France Castro, meanwhile, pinned the blame on President Rodrigo Duterte over his "shoot-to-kill" remarks that she said have emboldened the police to commit killings.

"The Duterte administration's legacy is creating monsters that recklessly use their guns, points and shoots it at whoever is in their way towards claiming and abusing power," she said.

"This is not an isolated incident. There is systematic and chronic abuse of power in the police and military that the Duterte administration cannot deny especially when 'shoot-to-kill orders come straight from the mouth of the commander-in-chief," she added.

Agusan De Norte Representative Lawrence Fortun, on the other hand, urged Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra to order the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to take over the case, and the Philippine National Police (PNP) should waive custody and jurisdiction over Nuezca.

"This latest instance of a police officer mercilessly and brazenly killing unarmed persons is not an isolated incident. It is yet another among multitudes of police brutality, but now caught on video clearly showing, leaving no doubt that Cpl. Jonel Nuezca is a murderer," he said.

Fortun also asked the House Committees on Justice and on Public Order and Safety to investigate all administrative and criminal cases against police officers.

Nuezca already turned himself in to the police and is facing double murder charges.

Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra on Monday said the DOJ will ensure justice will be served. —KG, GMA News