MANILA – The Department of Justice (DOJ) has ordered the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to probe the shooting of Manila Regional Trial Court (RTC) Judge Maria Teresa S. Abadilla inside her chamber.
“Though Judge Abadilla’s death appears to have arisen from an internal issue with her clerk of court, I have, nonetheless, directed the NBI to conduct a parallel probe considering that the incident has implications on the personal security of our judges and justices,” Justice Secretary Guevarra told reporters Friday.
Abadilla was shot in the head by her clerk of court, Atty. Amador B. Rebato, who also subsequently shot himself.
She was declared dead at 3:15 p.m. on Wednesday at the Medical Center Manila.
Meanwhile, the Supreme Court (SC) welcomed Guevarra’s pronouncement.
“It is true that the NBI (National Bureau of Investigation) can conduct its own probe because a crime has been committed. But we are also investigating and reviewing our court policies,” Court Administrator Jose Midas Marquez said in a statement.
He added that Chief Justice Diosdado Peralta has ordered “to employ stricter measures to prevent incidents” like the killing of Judge Abadilla right inside her office.
Regarding a review of security policies, Marquez admitted, however, that “it is more complicated with some courts in Manila because they are housed in the city hall, over which we do not have full control”.