Tarlac shooting victim's 94-year-old mother: Wala na akong magagawa

The 94-year-old mother of Sonya Rufino Gregorio, who was killed on Sunday by an off-duty police officer in Paniqui, Tarlac, on Monday said there was nothing else she could do but pray for justice.

"Kung mamatay man ako ngayon, wala na akong magagawa. Panalangin ko na lang sa Panginoon—'yan lang ang magagawa ko," Carmen Rufino said, according to a report by Mai Bermudez on GMA News' Unang Balita on Tuesday.

Sonya and her son Frank Anthony "Anton" were killed at close range in broad daylight by their neighbor, Police Senior Master Sergeant Jonel Nuezca.

Nuezca went to the Gregorios' house after he heard an explosion caused by "boga", a cannon made of PVC pipes used as noisemaker during New Year.

An altercation ensued and tension rose since the two parties had a prior misunderstanding regarding right of way.

As seen in a video which circulated on social media, Nuezca shot Sonya and Anton. Both died on the spot.

Death certificates showed by the Gregorios revealed that Sonya died from a bullet wound to the head, while Anton died from bullet wounds to the head and face.

The wake in Barangay Cabayaoasan was attended by their relatives, who called for justice.

"Sana lang hindi maging reason 'yung pagiging pulis niya para matakasan niya ang double murder na ginawa niya," Meg Gundran, niece of Sonya, said. Meg regarded Sonya as her second mother.

"Pinakamabait na tita ko 'yung pinatay niya," she added.

Sonya's daughter Tasha recalled how kind her mother and her brother Anton were.

"Halos lahat ng bata dito, tawag sa kanya, 'Mama Son, Mama Son.' Gano'n po. Ganu'n din po 'yung kapatid ko, mapalakaibigan 'yung kapatid ko. Halos lahat ng kalalakihan dito sa amin, kaibigan niya. Nakita niyo naman 'yung mga umiiyak para sa kanya," she said.

"Malakas naman 'yung ebidensiya ng video eh kung ano ang ginawa niya. Depende na lang kung kaya pa niyang baligtarin 'yon," Tasha added.

Florentino Gregorio, husband of Sonya, said Nuezca should suffer for the crime.

"Dapat talaga pagdusahan niya ang ginawa niyang krimen, hindi 'yung magsasaksak dito sa may sakit siya sa utak," he said.

According to Paniqui Municipal Police Station, Nuezca, who surrendered, refused to undergo paraffin test.

They are also awaiting the result of Nuezca's drug test.

Nuezca was indicted on Monday for charges of double murder. —KG, GMA News