Ex-cop Nuezca found guilty over brutal slay of neighbors

A Tarlac court on Thursday found dismissed policeman Jonel Nuezca guilty of murdering his two neighbors following a heated argument last December.

Judge Stela Marie Asuncion of Paniqui, Tarlac Regional Trial Court Branch 106 sentenced Nuezca to reclusion perpetua or up to 40 years in prison for each count of murder. She also ordered Nuezca to pay damages worth P952,560.

Nuezca fatally shot mother and son Sonia and Frank Anthony Gregorio after they had a heated argument over a "boga" explosion and right of way last December 20.

The incident was caught on video and went viral on social media, sparking public outrage.

Nuezca was assigned to Parañaque City crime laboratory but goes home to Paniqui, Tarlac. He has since been dismissed from police service.

In its decision, the court said the victims were “unsuspecting and never knew during the span of commotion and altercation” that Nuezca had a gun.

“The suddenness and succession of shots fired by the accused indeed rendered the said victims helpless to retaliate the attack made by the accused,” the court stated.

“These fatal wounds that [cost] the lives of the victims are indeed treacherous.”

In an interview with dzBB, the Gregorios’ lawyer Freddie Villamor said the family was “very appreciative” of the judge’s swift action on the case.

“They were very happy because justice has been served,” Villamor said in Filipino.

Nuezca earlier pleaded not guilty to the murder charges.—AOL/KBK, GMA News