Cop who killed mother and son in Tarlac indicted for double murder

Police Senior Master Sergeant Jonel Nuezca, the officer who killed a mother and her son in Tarlac, has been indicted for double murder.

Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said the Office of the Provincial Prosecutor of Tarlac upon inquest, found probable cause to indict Nuezca for two counts of murder.

The charges were filed before the Paniqui, Tarlac Regional Trial Court on Monday.

The policeman shot Sonya Rufino Gregorio, 52, and her son, Frank Anthony, residents of Barangay Cabayaoasan on Sunday during a heated confrontation. Mother and son died.

Nuezca, who has a history of criminal and administrative cases, surrendered to police after the incident.

Guevarra earlier said the Department of Justice will ensure justice is served. 

'Plain cold murder'

Nuezca reportedly went to the house of the victims, both unarmed civilians, after hearing an explosion caused by a "boga," an improvised cannon made of PVC pipes usually used during New Year celebrations.

Police said Nuezca and the victims had a previous altercation regarding right of way and the issue resurfaced during the confrontation. The suspect shot the victims twice each in the head.

He is now in the custody of the Paniqui Police Station.

Police records show Nuezca had been accused of homicide twice last year. Both cases were dismissed due to lack of evidence.

He had also faced administrative cases in the past years, the earliest being a 10-day suspension in 2010, according to information shared by police to the media.

Interior Secretary Eduardo Año said the incident in Tarlac was "plain , simple cold murder." He said it was an isolated case.

Malacañang on Monday said Nuezca should be punished.

Critics of President Rodrigo Duterte say his statements and policies, from his war on drugs to his administration's anti-insurgency campaign, have incited violence and human rights violations. — RSJ, GMA News