Dela Rosa says cops need regular neuro-psychiatric tests

December 26, 2020

Senator Ronald Dela Rosa said policemen should undergo regular neuro-psychiatric tests following the shooting incident where a policeman killed a mother and her son in Tarlac.

"There should be a regular test because a policeman only undergo a neuro-psychiatric test when they apply or unless a policeman... will go on schooling they will need to undergo neuro or when they apply for promotion. Other than that there is no regular testing," Dela Rosa said in a public briefing on Saturday.

Dela Rosa said a policeman could experience problems while in the service.

"It is possible that when they enter the police service they do not have problem but while he is in service he learned to use drugs so his attitude may change. So there is really a need for a regular neuro psychiatric test," said Dela Rosa, a former chief of the Philippine National Police.

Dela Rosa stressed the importance of anger management counselling for policemen.

"That's right, like I said (in) the instance involving (Police Master SergeantJonel) Nuezca if somebody told him to undergo debriefing even in five to ten seconds before his decision making maybe he will not fire the gun so there is really a need for anger management," he said.

Nuezca, an off-duty policeman stationed in Paranaque, was accused of shooting Sonya Gregorio and her son Frank last Sunday in Paniqui, Tarlac following an argument.

A video, which spread in social media, allegedly showed Nuezca shooting the woman who was embracing her son, before the latter was shot.

Prosecutors charged Nuezca, who surrendered, of double murder on Monday. He is in police custody. Robina Asido/DMS