2020 Tarlac shooting

On December 20, 2020, a shooting incident occurred in Paniqui, Tarlac, Philippines, when an off-duty police officer, Jonel Nuezca, fatally shot his two unarmed neighbors following an argument over an improvised noise maker known locally as boga. The incident was caught on camera and went viral on social media, sparking nationwide outrage with some discussion pointed to the government over acts of impunity and human rights abuses in recent years (particularly the war on drugs).[1]

2020 Tarlac shooting
DateDecember 20, 2020 (2020-12-20)
Time5:10 pm (PHT)
LocationPaniqui, Tarlac, Philippines
TypeShooting
CauseDispute over the usage of a boga
Preexisting conflicts over right of way
TargetGregorio family
DeathsSonya Gregorio
Frank Anthony "Anton" Gregorio
SuspectsJonel Nuezca
ChargesTwo (2) counts of murder

Incident and investigation
Barangay Cabayaoasan in Paniqui, where the shooting incident took place

The incident started when Nuezca had gone to investigate the Gregorios who were setting up a boga – an improvised noisemaker cannon either made of bamboo, a PVC pipe, or linkage of opened tin cans.[2] When Nuezca tried to arrest Frank, who appeared to be drunk, Sonya intervened by holding her son back, which then resulted in a heated argument that escalated until Nuezca fatally shot the two victims.[2][3] According to Police Colonel Renante Cabico, director of the Tarlac Provincial Police Office, Nuezca was "off duty" at the time of the incident.[2]

The circumstances of the incident was captured on camera: It shows plainclothes Nuezca and his daughter rushing to the Gregorio family's house. The police was holding boga he confiscated.[4] At this point, it then shows 55-year-old Sonya[lower-alpha 1] hugging her 25-year-old son Frank. The woman was trying to prevent her son from engaging in an argument with civilian police officer Nuezca.[6] People in the background can be heard begging and crying. At one point, the police told the people not to interfere and wait for the barangay officials.[6] Nuezca's daughter was also at the scene and intervened by yelling "my father is a policeman!" to Sonya. As Sonya yelled back "I don't care!" to the tune of the 2NE1 song of the same name,[7] Nuezca threatened to kill the lady right before shooting her in the head. He then shot Frank twice and Sonya again, when she was already lying on the ground, in front of his daughter and the relatives of the victims.[8][9][6] According to the Paniqui Municipal Police, the suspect immediately fled the crime scene and went to his parents' house in Urdaneta, Pangasinan.[10] Nuezca was also assigned to the Parañaque City Crime Laboratory and had just returned to Paniqui, Tarlac.[11]

The incident was reported to the police 20 minutes later and, at 6:19 p.m., Nuezca surrendered himself to a police station in Rosales, Pangasinan where he relinquished his firearms.[12][2] A day after the incident, Lt. Col. Noriel Rombaoa, chief of Paniqui Municipal Police Station, said that Nuezca had admitted and regretted his crime following his surrender to the police.[13] Nuezca was charged with double murder.[14] The Philippine National Police (PNP) assured that there would be no "whitewashing" in the investigation.[6] The PNP said that they will resolve the incident within 30 days. They added that if Nuezca was found guilty, he will be disqualified from his duty and will lose his income.[15]

Before the shooting, according to the victims' relatives, the family had preexisting dispute over the right of way sold by the police officer to the family of the victims.[16]

Suspect

Jonel Montales Nuezca is a native of Urdaneta, Pangasinan but resided in Barangay Cabayaoasan in Paniqui, Tarlac.[12] He had been previously charged with two homicide cases and multiple administrative cases.[17] Based on a document retrieved from PRO III Chief P/Brig. Gen. Val de Leon, Nuezca was also suspended for 10 days from his job from February 19 to 28, 2010.[17] In 2014, a "less serious neglect of duty" case was filed against Nuezca for allegedly refusing to take a drug test. He was then sentenced to 31 days suspension.[17] In 2013, Nuezca was charged with an administrative case and grave misconduct which was dropped.[17] In 2016, Nuezca was also charged with "serious neglect of duty" for allegedly not attending a court hearing as a prosecution witness in a drug case; the case was also dropped and closed.[17] Nuezca had two serious misconduct and homicide cases in May and December 2019 but both charges were dismissed due to "lack of substantial evidence".[17]

Reactions

Social media

A day after the incident, several netizens and celebrities condemned the killings on social media with the hashtags #StopTheKillingsPH, #PulisAngTerorista ("the police are the terrorists"), #EndPoliceBrutality and #JusticeForSonyaGregorio dominating on Twitter in the Philippines, as well as in Singapore and Dubai.[18][19] The song "I Don't Care" by South Korean girl group 2NE1, in which Sonya yelled back the song's hook at the policeman's daughter moments before she was shot, came into resurgence including the name of the girl group on Twitter.[7]

The daughter of Nuezca was also subjected to harassment and threats.[20]

Government

Interior Secretary Eduardo Año condemned the incident, vowing the government would file the criminal cases against Nuezca.[21] Año also added that the incident should not lead the condemnation of the entire police.[21] Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said that President Rodrigo Duterte, who supported the police under his administration, will not protect Nuezca because of his crimes.[22] Duterte himself watched the viral video of the shooting. Senator Bong Go said that Duterte was angered at the incident.[23] Malacañang vowed to bring justice for the victims of the shooting.[24] On the same day, Duterte ordered the PNP to make sure that the suspect face punishment. The president characterized Nuezca as "sick in the head".[25]Duterte added that he will not condone police officers who commit such crimes.[26] Police Captain Ariel Buraga of Bato, Catanduanes was relieved from duty after he commented on social media justifying the shooting of the Gregorios.[27]

On December 22, PNP Chief Debold Sinas personally visited the wake of the Gregorios.[28]

Politics

Lawmakers from both the Senate and House of Representatives condemned the killing of mother-and-son. House Speaker Lord Allan Velasco expressed sympathy to the victims and said that Nuezca must be punished.[29] Senator Franklin Drilon stated that the suspect should "spend Christmas and a lifetime in jail" and called the incident "pure evil."[29] Senator Leila de Lima was angered over the incident, calling it "appalling and shocking" while adding Duterte's name in her statement.[29] Senator Francis Pangilinan said the incident was "infuriating". Other Senators condemned the incident including Risa Hontiveros, Nancy Binay and Joel Villanueva. Senator Panfilo Lacson, who is a former Philippine National Police (PNP) chief, condemned the shooting and called the police to hold Nuezca responsible.[2] The police called the incident an "isolated case."[3] On the other hand, Senators Ronald dela Rosa, also a former PNP chief, Bong Revilla, and Manny Pacquiao considered it as "one compelling case for the reinstitution of the death penalty."[29][30] Dela Rosa also expressed belief that Nuezca is a "drug addict" because of the latter's refusal to do the drug testing.[31] Meanwhile, ACT Teachers Representative France Castro and GABRIELA Representative Arlene Brosas directly blamed Duterte for the crime, citing human rights violations committed under Duterte administration.[29] Senators Joel Villanueva, Sonny Angara, Nancy Binay, Grace Poe, Juan Miguel Zubiri and Sherwin Gatchalian filed Senate Resolution No. 600 that probes into the recent killings in the country under Duterte's administration.[32] Vice President Leni Robredo slammed the culture of impunity following the shooting.[33]

Protests
Indignation rally in response to Tarlac shooting incident, December 21, 2020, Boy Scout Circle, Quezon City.

An indignation rally was done by numerous groups on December 21, 2020 at the Boy Scout Circle, Quezon City.[34]

Others

Tarlac Bishop Enrique Macaraeg condemned the shooting and added that God promises justice "even if sometimes justice on earth is hard to find."[35]

Aftermath

A wake for the two victims was held a day after the incident.[36] Personnel of Commission of Human Rights Region 3 visited the wake.[37] Former Senator Jinggoy Estrada also visited the wake.[38] Twelve members of the Gregorio family who witnessed the murder of the mother-and-son were subjected to counseling.[37] While being detained, Nuezca issued an apology for his crimes but the Gregorio family did not accept the apology.[39] The mother-and-son were buried on December 27, 2020.[40]

On January 10, 2021, Nuezca pleaded not guilty to the murder charges.[41] The next day, the PNP dismissed Nuezca from his duty.[42]

The case was featured on a Philippine investigative docudrama program Imbestigador as its 6th episode, "Gregorio Double Murder Case". Jonel Nuezca was portrayed by Carlos Agassi. Mel Kimura portraying Sonia Gregorio and Martin del Rosario portraying Anton Gregorio.

Notes
  1. Most news sources stated that Sonya was 52 years old at the time of the incident. However, during the burial of the mother-and-son, the tarpaulin states that Sonya was born on February 26, 1965, therefore she died at the age of 55.[5]

References
  1. Gutierrez, Jason. "A Brazen Police Shooting Caught on Video Sparks Anger in the Philippines". The New York Times. Retrieved December 22, 2020. MANILA — A video of a police officer shooting a woman and her adult son at close range on Sunday has spread rapidly across social media in the Philippines, provoking a wave of outrage directed at the government and a police force that many say acts with impunity.
  2. "Cop shoots unarmed mother, son over 'boga' in Tarlac". Rappler. Retrieved December 21, 2020. The shooting happened at 5:10 pm then was reported to the Paniqui police station at 5:30 pm. Nearly an hour later, at 6:19 pm, Nuezca surrendered to the Rosales police station in Pangasinan province. Paniqui police picked up Nuezca and now have him in their custody.
  3. "Pulis na viral sa pamamaril ng 2 dahil sa 'boga' sumuko; kasong double murder inihahanda" [Viral police in shooting of 2 (people) due to boga surrrendered, double murder cases being prepared]. The Philippine Star (in Tagalog). Retrieved December 21, 2020.
  4. Salazar, Mark. 24 Oras Express: December 21, 2020. (15:06-) "Sa amateur video na ito na kuha kahapon, makikita ang pagsugod ng nakasibilyang pulis kasama ang kanyang menor de edad na anak na babae sa bahay ng mga Gregorio. Hawak noon ng pulis ang boga na kanyang kinumpiska mula sa mga Gregorio na ilang saglit lang bago nito ay nagpaputok daw ng boga."
  5. "LOOK| Ang lubong sang mag-iloy nga Sonia kag Frank Anthony Gregorio (Disyembre 27) nga gintiro-patay ni Senior Master Sgt. Jonel Nuezca". Super Radyo Iloilo. Archived from the original on December 27, 2020. Retrieved December 27, 2020 – via Facebook.
  6. "GMA News Feed: Pulis, binaril ang nakaalitang mag-ina sa Paniqui, Tarlac" [GMA News Feed: Police officer, shot mother-and-son he quarreled with in Paniqui, Tarlac]. GMA News (in Tagalog). Retrieved December 22, 2020 – via YouTube.
  7. "'2NE1' trends on Twitter after policeman shoots unarmed mother and son in Tarlac". GMA News. Retrieved December 22, 2020.
  8. "Policeman kills 2 in Tarlac | Evening wRap". Rappler. Retrieved December 22, 2020.
  9. "Philippine cop shoots dead mother and son on camera, reigniting nation's debate over police impunity". The Washington Post. Retrieved December 22, 2020.
  10. Salazar, Mark. 24 Oras Express: December 21, 2020. (16:20-) Ayon sa pulisya, mabilis na umalis ang suspek sa crime scene para magtungo raw sana sa bahay ng kanyang mga magulang sa Urdaneta, Pangasinan.
  11. "Philippine authorities investigating fatal shooting incident in Tarlac involving police officer". CNA. Retrieved December 22, 2020.
  12. "Cop in viral shooting video surrenders to Rosales police". Philippine News Agency. Retrieved December 22, 2020.
  13. "Cop regrets shooting a mother and son in Tarlac, says police official". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved December 22, 2020.
  14. "Philippines police officer charged over mother and son murder". BBC. Retrieved December 22, 2020.
  15. "PNP aims to resolve Tarlac killer cop case within 30 days". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved December 22, 2020.
  16. Salazar, Mark. 24 Oras Express: December 21, 2020. (16:48-) Ayon sa kaanak ng mga biktima, away sa titulo ng lupa na nabili ng pulis sa pamilya ng mga biktima. Ang ugat nito, dagdag pa raw ang usapin sa right of way.
  17. "GMA News Feed: Pulis sa Tarlac shooting, dati nang may mga kaso". GMA News. Retrieved December 22, 2020 – via YouTube.
  18. "Rage and fury over cop's killing of mother and son: 'No license to kill'". Rappler. Retrieved December 21, 2020.
  19. "Maine Mendoza, Agot Isidro other celebrities concerned over cop's slaying of mother, son". Manila Bulletin. Retrieved December 21, 2020.
  20. "Child rights group warns devastating impact on children who witnessed Tarlac shooting". Philippine Star. Retrieved December 21, 2020.
  21. "Año condemns Tarlac shooting but calls it 'isolated' incident". Rappler. Retrieved December 22, 2020.
  22. "Police working on dismissal of cop who killed neighbors". CNN Philippines. Retrieved December 22, 2020.
  23. "LOOK: Duterte watches viral Tarlac shooting video". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved December 22, 2020.
  24. "Palace vows justice for Tarlac shooting victims, says Duterte won't protect cop". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved December 22, 2020.
  25. "A Brazen Police Shooting Caught on Video Sparks Anger in the Philippines". The New York Times. December 25, 2021..
  26. "'May topak': Duterte claims Tarlac killer cop has mental illness". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved December 22, 2020.
  27. "Police chief of Bato, Catanduanes, sacked over comments on Tarlac shooting". Rappler. Retrieved December 22, 2020.
  28. "PNP chief Sinas visits wake of mom, son slain by cop in Tarlac". Manila Bulletin. Retrieved December 25, 2020.
  29. "'Pure evil': Lawmakers condemn police killing of mother, son in Tarlac". Rappler. Retrieved December 22, 2020.
  30. Domingo, Katrina (December 22, 2020). "Dela Rosa: Death penalty could have deterred cop's brutal killing of 2 neighbors in Tarlac". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved December 23, 2020.
  31. "'Adik yung tao na yun,' Bato says of cop in Tarlac shooting". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved December 25, 2020.
  32. "After years of impunity under Duterte, senators seek probe into killings". Rappler. Retrieved December 22, 2020.
  33. "Robredo hits 'architecture of impunity' behind Tarlac shooting". Rappler. Retrieved December 22, 2020.
  34. AlterMidya (December 21, 2020). "#StopTheKillingsPH: Activists & concerned citizens cry justice for Sonya & Frank Gregorio and all victims of police brutality and state violence. The groups held an indignation rally at the Boy Scout Circle in QC after a police officer killed the 2 unarmed residents in Tarlac". Twitter. Retrieved January 4, 2020.
  35. "Bishop condemns Tarlac shooting: 'No escape from God's punishment'". Rappler. Retrieved December 25, 2020.
  36. "Timeline of Tarlac shooting: What we know so far". Rappler. Retrieved December 25, 2020.
  37. Ayalin, Adrian. "Kaanak ng mga Gregorio, 'di tanggap ang pagsisisi ni Nuezca | TV Patrol". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved December 25, 2020.
  38. "Dating Senador Jinggoy Estrada, dumalaw sa lamay ng mag-inang Gregorio na walang awang pinatay ni PSMS Jonel Nuezca sa Paniqui, Tarlac. | via Admar V." SMNI News. Retrieved December 27, 2020 – via Facebook.
  39. "GMA News Feed: P/Ssgt. Jonel Nuezca, nag-sorry sa pamilya Gregorio". GMA News. Retrieved December 25, 2020 – via YouTube.
  40. Movido, Angel (December 27, 2020). "Gregorios' kin forgive killer cop, seek justice as victims laid to rest". ABS-CBN News.
  41. "Cop in viral Tarlac slay video pleads not guilty to murder". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved January 11, 2021.
  42. "Cop in Tarlac shooting dismissed from PNP". Cebu Daily News. Retrieved January 12, 2021.
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