THE Paniqui, Tarlac regional trial court has sentenced a Parañaque policeman to two life imprisonments for shooting to death a mother and son last December.

In an 18-page joint decision, Branch 106 Judge Stela Marie Gandia Asuncion sentenced Master Sergeant Jonel Nuezca to double reclusion perpetua, one each for killing 52-year-old Sonya Gregorio and her son Frank Anthony Gregorio, 25, in Purok 2, Barangay Cabayaoasan.

Nuezca was also ordered to pay the heirs of the victims P952, 560 in damages.

The court said the prosecution was able to establish treachery during the trial on the merits of the case.

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

“The argument that the attack which is made in front of the victims is of no moment and does not discount that treachery does not exist. Treachery as an aggravating or attendant circumstance was established by the prosecution beyond reasonable doubt,” the decision read in part.

Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra on Thursday welcomed the decision handed down by the Tarlac RTC.

“We commend the prosecution and the honorable judge for the speedy disposition of this case. It shows that if we all put our hearts into it, we can really make the administration of justice a little more efficient,” Guevarra said.

The incident stemmed over an altercation involving the homemade PVC canon “boga”.

Nuezca fled after shooting the victims, but surrendered to the Rosales Pangasinan Municipal Police Station hours later. He also turned over his service pistol that was used during the crime.

Nuezca and the Gregorios are residents of Purok 2 in Barangay Cabayaoasan, Paniqui.

The two families were allegedly involved in a property right-of-way dispute, but the shooting incident stemmed from the firing of a PVC cannon or boga by the Gregorios.

The shooting incident was caught on camera and the video went viral on social media.

Netizens have been seeking justice for the Gregorios and calling for the end of police brutality and impunity in the Philippines.

Meanwhile, Central Luzon police director Brig Gen. Valeriano de Leon said “this development in the case of Nuezca goes to show of equal justice to everyone and that the PNP does not condone any infraction or wrongdoing committed by any of its members.

“Any individual regardless of status must face the crimes they have committed, there is no exemption in enforcing the law,” De Leon added. By HECTOR LAWAS & BERNARD GALANG