'Galit din si Pangulo,' Go says of President's reaction to Tarlac shooting

The death of two unarmed civilians in the hands of a policeman infuriated President Rodrigo Duterte, Senator Bong Go said on Monday.

"Galit din si Pangulo sa nangyari," Go, a close ally and former special aide of Duterte, said in a message to reporters.

In a separate message, Go said the President want Police Senior Master Sergeant Jonel Nuezca punished.

Nuezca has been charged with two counts of murder.

“Sabi niya mananagot talaga ‘yan. Buang nang tawhana [Baliw ang taong ‘yan]," Go said.

He sent some photos of Duterte apparently watching the footage of the shooting incident which transpired in Paniqui, Tarlac. According to the initial police probe, the cop shot his neighbors in the middle of an altercation over "boga" and right of way.

The Palace has earlier said the President would not protect Nuezca, because the shooting was not service-related.

"Ito po ay tatratuhin na ordinaryong murder cases at iimbestigahan, kakasuhan, lilitisin at paparusahan po natin ang pulis na ‘yan, no ifs, no buts," presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said.

For his part, Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Salvador Panelo said the “full force of the law must be applied immediately until justice is served.”

“This murderous act has no place in any civilized society. That the suspect is a member of the PNP [Philippine National Police] is symptomatic of an incipient cancer that lies in the body of the police force that must be excised instantly,” he added.

The culture of impunity has bred "trigger-happy cops" in the country, according to opposition senators.

While misdeeds are rewarded instead of punished, police abuses would continue, Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon said.— with Virgil Lopez/AOL/BM, GMA News