Guevarra orders NBI probe into killing of Manila judge

Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra has ordered the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to look into the killing of a judge in Manila inside her own office last Wednesday.

Judge Maria Teresa Abadilla of the Manila Regional Trial Court Branch 45 was shot allegedly by her own clerk of court, Amador Rebato Jr., who also died in the incident.

"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," Guevarra said Friday.

Guevarra said the NBI will look into "all possible angles and motives" and make recommendations to the Supreme Court on improving security in all courthouses, courtrooms, and their premises.

Chief Justice Diosdado Peralta, for his part, has ordered Court Administrator Jose Midas Marquez to implement stricter security measures in courthouses to prevent similar incidents from occurring.

"The passing of Judge Abadilla is indeed a big loss to the Judiciary because I personally know her to be an upright and highly competent magistrate," Peralta said last Wednesday.

Abadilla was a law clerk in the SC for more than a decade before she became a judge.

"She was a hardworking judge," said retired chief justice Lucas Bersamin. "Her death, which was senseless, diminishes us all."

The Philippine Judicial Academy (PJA) on Friday said the "gruesome manner" of Abadilla and Rebato's deaths were a "total shock to us in the judiciary."

"There are many questions which are still left unanswered. Hence, we request for sobriety and patience and let the investigation take its proper course," said Judge Felix Reyes, PJA president.

"Her passing is a constant reminder that judges, while performing their judicial duties and functions, are not spared from the risks and hazards that they are exposed to, not only from an assassin's bullet, but even from persons known to them," he added. — AOL/RSJ, GMA News