Cop behind killing of Tarlac woman, son refused to honor dispute settlement —police

The policeman who shot dead a mother and her son during an altercation in Paniqui, Tarlac, over the weekend had refused to honor the proposed settlement of their right-of-way dispute, the municipal police chief said Monday.

Interviewed on Dobol B sa News TV, Paniqui Municipal Police chief Police Lieutenant Colonel Noriel Rombaoa said the suspect and victims had already brought their dispute before barangay officers.

“Napag-usapan na 'yan pero hindi natapos 'yung usapin diyan. Although may linaw na raw na dapat …napagkasunduan is  bibigyan, na makakadaan ang sasakyan,” he said.

“Hindi naman nasunod kasi nga noong nagbago ang suspek natin, medyo maliit 'yung naiwan. Hindi kasya ang sasakyan. So 'yun po ang pinagtatalunan nila,” he added.

The dispute ended tragically on Sunday when, during a confrontation, Police Senior Master Sergeant Jonel Nuezca shot victims Sonya Rufino Gregorio, 52, and her 25-year-old son Frank Anthony Rufino Gregorio -- an incident that was caught on video.

Rombaoa said Nuezca and his son went to the house of victims after hearing an explosion caused by a "boga," an improvised canon made of PVC pipes usually used during New Year celebrations.

The heated argument eventually brought up their long-standing dispute regarding the road right of way, Rombaoa said.

“Pumunta po kasi 'yung ating suspek sa bahay ng mga biktima dahil, according doon sa witness, may narining siya na nagpaputok ng boga,” he said.

“Gustong pumunta doon para komprontahin sila. ‘Yun nga naungkat na 'yung usapin dyan sa right of way na 'yan hanggang humantong sa insidenteng 'yun,” he added.

Authorities recovered four cartridge cases and two fired bullets in the crime scene, according to Rombaoa.

Nuezca, who is assigned in Parañaque City, is now in the custody of Paniqui Police and is facing double murder charges. --KBK, GMA News