Nuezca demoted one rank over an extortion case in 2014

The National Police Commission has demoted Jonel Nuezca, the cop involved in the fatal shooting in Paniqui, Tarlac, one rank over a case in 2014.

Interior and Local Government spokesperson Jonathan Malaya confirmed this on Tuesday. Malaya answered in the affirmative when asked if this was because of Nuezca's extortion case in 2014.

A separate Super Radyo dzBB report by Allan Gatus said Nuezca was demoted from police senior master sergeant to police master sergeant.

This was because Nuezca allegedly extorted money from a tricycle driver and a passenger while he was still assigned at the Tactical Motorcycle Unit in Taguig in 2014.

According to Jun Veneracion’s “24 Oras” report, Nuezca and a partner cop had nabbed a tricycle driver and a passenger during a routine inspection after finding weapons and illegal drugs in their possession.

The driver and passenger were taken to the precinct, where the alleged extortion took place.

"Allegedly, in exchange for their temporary freedom, 'yung hinuli nila na nasa tricyle, hinihingan nila ng pera. Hindi lang nakalagay kung magkano 'yung exact amount na hinihingi nila,” Napolcom Legal Affairs Service acting chief Atty. Chito Noel Bustonera said.

Malaya said the DILG would issue a statement regarding the matter on Wednesday.

Nuezca fatally shot Sonya Rufino Gregorio and her son, Frank Anthony, in the middle of an argument over "boga" and right of way over the weekend.

He was indicted for two counts of murder.

Aside from the extortion case, Nuezca also figured in five other administrative cases between 2010 and 2019. 

For Philippine National Police chief Police General Debold Sinas, however, these cases were not red flags since due process was observed.

“Lahat po ito ay puro case dismissed because of lack of evidence and witnesses to pursue the admin cases. More or less, criminal [case] rin ay walang na-file against sa kanya,” he said.

The PNP’s Internal Affairs Service earlier said it hopes to resolve Nuezca’s case within 30 days. —Julia Mari Ornedo/AOL, GMA News