House Human Rights panel chair condemns Tarlac double murder
The chairman of the House Committee on Human Rights condemned in the strongest and unequivocal terms Tuesday the broad daylight murder of 52-year-old mother Sonya Gregorio and her son, Frank Anthony, by Police Senior Master Sgt. Jonel Nuezca in Paniqui, Tarlac last Sunday.
Quezon City Rep. Jesus “Bong” Suntay, committee chairman, issued the statement even as the Makabayan bloc called on the chamber, through the panel, to condemn the twin murders.
In a resolution, the six Makabayan lawmakers representing various partylist groups called on the panel to conduct an investigation into the “continuing police brutality in the country.”
“It is imperative for members of Congress, as representatives of our people, to defend the rights of our people and check on excesses and violations committed against them,” the resolution said.
Even before the committee could act on the resolution, Suntay called for an end to “a creeping culture of impunity and violence” that has gripped the nation.
“As the entire nation shares the grief with the Gregorio family, we also share the outrage and disbelief for these senseless killings committed by an active member of the police force,” said Suntay.
The former Quezon City councilor said the “recent act of police brutality” contradicted the Philippine National Police’s vow “to serve and protect the people.”
“We deplore the barbarous acts inflicted by men in uniform against our unarmed and innocent civilians. The people’s vulnerabilities are meant to be protected and not decimated by our policemen,” said Suntay.
Suntay’s demonstration of indignation on the Tarlac incident and other killings of civilians that have increased in the past several months is just one of the many declarations of condemnation coming from various sectors.
“We demand justice, in its sublime and swift means, for the Gregorio family, and for those victims of injustices in the past. We stand with everyone with a resounding call for an end to a creeping culture of impunity and violence,” he said.
The lawmaker stated: “As advocates of human rights, we must let truth and justice prevail.”