NBI: No foul play in Nuezca’s death

MANILA, Philippines — The results of the autopsy conducted by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) on dismissed police officer Jonel Nuezca showed that the murder convict died of a heart attack at the New Bilibid Prison (NBP), Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said yesterday.

According to Guevarra, the NBI’s autopsy report affirmed the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor)’s initial findings that there was no foul play in the death of Nuezca.

“The NBI report indicates that Nuezca succumbed to cardiac arrest,” Guevarra said. “Laboratory and histophatology examinations are underway to determine the specific cause of his death.”

Last week, BuCor spokesman Gabriel Chaclag said Nuezca died of a heart attack based on examinations conducted by NBP doctors.

Nuezca bore no signs of torture, Chaclag said.

“He had no enemies in Bilibid and there were no suspicious incidents before he was brought to the NBP Infirmary by his cellmates,” Chaclag said.

He said the NBI’s report would put an end to allegations that Nuezca was killed.

Nuezca was convicted of murdering Sonia Gregorio, 52, and her son Frank Anthony, 25, following an argument over the use of boga or an improvised firecracker on Dec. 20, 2020.

Last August, a Tarlac court sentenced Nuezca to life in prison.

Nuezca was stripped of benefits following his dismissal from the police service early this year.