Sinas directs IAS to resolve cop’s shooting case so he can be dismissed

December 21, 2020

The chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP) on Monday said he directed the Internal Affairs Service (IAS) to ensure a quick resolution of the case of the cop who shot a mother and son in Paniqui, Tarlac so he can be immediately dismissed from service.

In a statement, General Debold Sinas condemned “to the highest order” the criminal act committed by Senior Master Sergeant Joniel Nuezca.

“Words are not enough to assuage the feelings of the bereaved family of the victims, Mrs Sonia Gregorio and her son, Frank. But we assure them and the Filipino people that the PNP does not and will never condone any criminal act of our police officers,” he said.

Sinas said a motu proprio investigation will be conducted.

“I have further directed the IAS to ensure the quick resolution of the summary hearing case against PSMSg Nuezca for my approval of his immediate dismissal from the service,” he said.

In his press briefing, Sinas said this is not the first time Nuezca will be facing charges.

“He has previous cases. In 2019, he faced grave misconduct but that was dismissed, that was May. In December 2019 another grave misconduct (was filed) but was dismissed,” he said.

“His case which was being investigated by the IAS is homicide. The latest case was committed on December 29, 2019 (that is) homicide. The first homicide case is May 9, 2019,” he added.

Sinas said the cases were dismissed due to lack of evidence and witnesses to pursue the administrative cases that’s why they also did not file criminal cases against Nuezca.

Nuezca also faced charges in 2010, 2013 for grave misconduct, 2014 for refusing to undergo a drug test, and 2016 for failing to attend a court hearing as prosecution witness of a drug case.

The 2016 and 2013 cases were dropped but he was suspended for 2010 and 2014 cases.

“After he was investigated the cases were dismissed there is no case against him so he’s back to duty and there is no evidence proving that he did it based on the documents and the IAS also investigated the cases. So there is no reason to relieve or detain and disarm him,” he said.

However, Sinas said Nuezca was under monitoring by IAS.

“For this new case, the evidence is very strong against him. That’s why he was detained and disarmed and we issued automatic leave of absence so that his salary will be automatically cut,” he said.

Sinas said they will let the investigators do their job in investigating the case.

“We will wait on what case they will file. I will not state any specific case because it might be misinterpreted. Our stand here in the headquarters is we let the investigation go on and let the investigators do their job,” he said.

On Sunday, Nuezca shot dead a 52-year-old mother and her son after they engaged in an argument after the police officer heard an explosion caused by a PVC cannon in the victims’ house.

The incident was captured in a video and posted in social media.

Nuezca shot the victims’ in their head twice based on the footage.

After fleeing from the crime scene, he surrendered to a police station in Pangasinan and admitted to the crime.

Aside from the exploded PVC cannon, a long standing issue in the settlement of right of way was being pointed as cause for the cop to lose his patience and kill the victims.

In a radio interview, Police Lt. Colonel Noriel Rombaoa, Paniqui Municipal Police chief, said the two parties tried to fix their dispute more than a year ago.

“It was not finished… But there is an agreement that a space will be given enough for a vehicle to pass by… That was discussed in the barangay based on the witnesses but it was not followed because when the police change (his vehicle) there is only a small space left,” Rombaoa said.

He said the victims’ house is located at the back of the suspect’s house.

Rombaoa said Nuezca admitted to the crime but refused to talk about the incident.

“He said he will just talk in the court but he is guilty of what he did,” the police chief said.

Sinas said he was saddened and angry over the incident.

The PNP chief said they will consult their neuropsychiatric doctors to study what happened.

“Maybe he did not manage his anger that’s why he did it. Of course as the commander, we are very angry and saddened. That's why we issue a directive to our unit commanders to please remind our people to hold their anger in any situation,” he said.

“So I think when I discuss it with our neuropsychiatrist we might also have a new study on anger management of our people,” Sinas added. Ella Dionisio/DMS