DISMISSED Police Master Sergeant Jonel Nuezca — the off-duty cop who was caught on video shooting to death a mother and son over an altercation in Tarlac last December 2020 — may have died of cardiac infarction.

Bureau of Corrections spokesperson Gabriel Chaclag revealed this over radio station dzBB, citing initial findings by the New Bilibid Prison hospital in Muntinlupa.

Chaclag added that Nuezca’s remains will undergo an autopsy Thursday to determine the true cause of his death.

The autopsy, according to Chaclag, would allay speculations that there was foul play in the death of Nuezca, who was convicted by the Paniqui, Tarlac regional trial court of two counts of murder over the deaths of 52-year-old Sonya Gregorio and her son Frank Anthony Gregorio, 25, in Purok 2, Barangay Cabayaoasan, Tarlac.

“Initial findings ng ating medical personnel ay may cardiac infraction ito, ibig sabihin ay baka heart attack.”

“So to rule out foul play and to rule out rumors ay gusto namin mabilis na matapos yung final investigation report nito at mailabas natin sa public kasi alam namin public interest ito,” Chaclag said.

Nuezca was pronounced dead at 6:44 p.m. on Tuesday, November 30, 2021. He was brought unconscious to the NBP hospital by his cell mates after he collapsed to the floor.

In the Paniqui court decision, 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 trial on the merits of the case.

The incident stemmed over an altercation involving 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 were residents of Purok 2 in Barangay Cabayaoasan in Paniqui town.

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 became viral on social media.

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