Bullying of Nuezca’s child may fall under VAWC – IBP

Bullying, bashing, and condemning Jonel Nuezca’s child may be considered Violence Against Women and their Children or VAWC, Integrated Bar of the Philippines President Domingo Cayosa said on Tuesday.

“‘Yung violence hindi lang ho ‘yan ‘yung physical violence, pwede rin hong psychological, social, emotional, or economic violence laban doon sa menor de edad,” he added.

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Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children Act of 2004 states that “causing mental or emotional anguish, public ridicule or humiliation to the woman or her child, including, but not limited to, repeated verbal and emotional abuse” is considered an act of violence.

On Sunday, Nuesca shot dead Sonia Gregorio, 52, and her son Frank Anthony Gregorio, 25, and residents of Purok 2, Brgy. Cabayaoasan in Paniqui, Tarlac.

During the altercation, Nuezca’s daughter shouted and said, “Just let go. My father is a policeman!” Sonya then answered back sarcastically and said, “I don’t care eh-eh-eh,” mocking her through a Korean song “I Don’t Care.”

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Nuesca then said, “P****g i** ka! Gusto mo tapusin na kita ngayon? (You son of a b***! You want me to finish you now?) and without a word shot the mother in the head, then her son.

Bullying of Nuezca’s child may fall under VAWC – IBP

“Nakikiusap tayo sa publiko, sa ating mga kababayan na mag-ingat ho tayo… Totoong masama ang nangyari. Magfocus tayo doon sa evil, at kung sino ang gumawa doon. Huwag na ho tayong mandamay ng iba pa,” Cayosa said.
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) also appealed to the public to spare Nuezca’s child from condemnation and cyberbullying. This could further hurt the child.
In an interview with Super Radyo DZBB, DSWD spokesperson Irene Dumlao said, “Nakakalungkot ang insidente na ito pero i-spare natin iyong anak sa condemnation and cyberbullying.”
Dumlao stressed that the public should understand that Nuezca’s daughter’s capability to control her emotions is not yet fully developed because of her young age.
She added that the DSWD’s Field Office in Region 3 already gave psychological support and debriefing to Nuezca’s daughter and all the children and adults who witnessed the shooting incident.