Justice served on family of Nuezca’s victims – Eleazar
PHILIPPINE National Police chief Gen. Guillermo Lorenzo Eleazar yesterday said the conviction of rogue former policeman Jonel Nuezca not only gave the family of his victims the justice they greatly deserve but most importantly serves as a warning to all that the PNP leadership will not condone the wrongdoings of any of its personnel.
“Justice is finally served, with the conviction of former police staff sergeant Jonel Nuezca. He was already dismissed from the service long before this conviction, which means that all his benefits were already forfeited,” the country’s top cop said.
On Thursday, Judge Stella Mare Gandia-Asuncion of the Paniqui, Tarlac Regional Trial Court sentenced Nuezca to up to 48 years in jail for each murder count and ordered him to pay the heirs of Sonia Gregorio and her son Frank Anthony a total of P952,560 after she found the accused guilty beyond reasonable doubt.
“Nauunawaan namin ang pakiramdam ng pamilya Gregorio na ang parusang iginawad ng hukuman sa kanya ay hindi sapat sa bayolenteng pagkawala ng buhay ng kanilang dalawang kaanak.
Ngunit naipakita dito na umiiral ang hustisya sa ating bansa at kailanman ay hindi kinukunsinti ng inyong Philippine National Police ang mga ganitong uri ng pulis,” Eleazar said.
The top cop said that another member of the police force, Hensie Zinampan has already been dismissed from the service for killing his Quezon City neighbor Lilybeth Valdez last June. Just like that of Nuezca’s case, Zinampan also figured in a viral video of killing, which shocked and angered the country.
“Currently, the trial for another policeman, Hensie Zinampan, in another viral video of killing in Quezon City last June is ongoing. He too was already dismissed from the service and we are confident that justice will also be served to the family of his victim Lilybeth Valdez,” Eleazar said.
“Both the cases of Nuezca and Zinampan will serve as a lesson that will constantly remind us that as police officers, we are the protectors of the Filipino people, and not their tormentors. On behalf of the men and women of the Philippine National Police, muli akong nakikiramay sa pamilya Gregorio at pamilya Valdez,” the PNP chief said.
Nuezca shot to death the two Gregorios last December 20 right in the presence of his young daughter after a heated argument over the use of “boga” or a homemade cannon.
