PNP: ‘Justice served’ by Nuezca conviction

The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Thursday declared that justice was served after the Tarlac court sentenced dismissed policeman Jonel Nuezca up to 40 years in prison for the murder of his neighbors.

Further, PNP Chief Police General Guillermo Eleazar assured that Nuezca's benefits will not be rendered to him because the policeman was already removed from service even before the conviction.

On Dec. 20, 2020, in an altercation over a boga explosion, Nuezca shot dead his neighbors Sonia and Frank Gregorio in Paniqui, Tarlac.

Eight months later, the Tarlac court sentenced Nuezca to reclusion perpetua or up to 40 years in prison and ordered the  latter to pay damages worth P952,560. 

Eleazar said they understand the Gregorio family's remark that the conviction is not enough after the loss of their relatives.

However, he said, the conviction will show that Philippine police will not tolerate violence within its ranks.

"Ngunit naipakita dito na umiiral ang hustisya sa ating bansa at kailanman ay hindi kinukunsinti ng inyong Philippine National Police ang mga ganitong uri ng pulis," Eleazar said in a press statement.

(But this shows that justice is present in our country and the PNP will never tolerate these illegal acts.)

Eleazar added that the trial against Police Master Sergeant Hensie Zinampan, who killed Lilibeth Valdez in Quezon City last June, is also ongoing.

The country's top cop said he is confident that justice will also be served in that case.

"Both the cases of Nuezca and Zinampan will serve as a lesson that will constantly remind us that as police officers, we are the protectors of the Filipino people, and not their tormentors," he said. — Consuelo Marquez/BM, GMA News