PNP’s Internal Affairs recommends Nuezca be dismissed from service

The Internal Affairs Service (IAS) of the Philippine National Police (PNP) has recommended that policeman Jonel Nuezca be dismissed from the service for killing two of his neighbors last month.

In a message to reporters, IAS chief Alfegar Triambulo confirmed the recommendation to remove Nuezca from the police force.

"Dismissal from service. Recommendation lang naman papel ng IAS. Ang final say nasa kay Gen. Danao RD ng NCRPO kasi siya ang may disciplinary authority kay PSSG Nuezca," the message read.

He was referring to Brigadier General Vicente Danao Jr., who heads the National Capital Region Police Office.

Nuezca—who was caught on video fatally shooting his neighbors Sonya Rufino Gregorio and her son Frank Anthony during a heated argument in Paniqui, Tarlac in December—has pleaded not guilty to murder.

The police officer is no stranger to administrative cases, as just last month he was demoted one rank in 2014 for reportedly extorting money from a tricycle driver and a passenger when he was still assigned in Taguig.

He has also faced grave misconduct cases in May and December 2019 for homicide, but both were dismissed due to lack of substantial evidence.

Nuezca was also slapped with charges of serious neglect of duty after failing to attend a court hearing as a prosecution witness on a drug-related case in 2016. The case was dropped and closed.

Less grave neglect of duty was also filed against Nuezca in April 2014 for refusing to take a drug test. Records show that he left the testing area without permission from authorities, prompting him to be penalized with a 31-day suspension.

Prior to this, Nuezca faced an administrative case for grave misconduct in 2013, but the case was likewise dropped and closed. — Jon Viktor D. Cabuenas/BM, GMA News