Alumnae association decries social media posts on slain Manila judge

Published November 13, 2020 06:48 PM By MA. ANGELICA GARCIA,GMA News

The University of the Philippines (UP) Portia Alumnae Association on Friday denounced the killing of Judge Ma. Theresa Abadilla of the Manila Regional Trial Court Branch 45.

In a statement, the association also condemned social media posts “irresponsibly rushed to judgment and engaged in victim-blaming.” The group said the posts allegedly state that Abadilla was to blame in part for her own death.

Abadilla'a clerk of court shot her on Wednesday afternoon

, police said. She was rushed to hospital but was declared dead past 3 p.m.

The clerk of court, 42-year-old lawyer Amador Rebato Jr., killed himself after shooting Abadilla.

“This is not only baseless but also deeply disrespectful to her memory. It dangerously trivializes her murder and justifies the inexcusable crime of the gunman,” the group said.

“These posts allege, without any shred of evidence, that the perpetrator suffered from mental health issues which caused him to commit this crime. Some even went as far as to unfairly suggest that Judge Tessa worsened his condition, again without any basis,” it added.

Further, the group also noted the “premature release” of Manila’s city security force report, which it said, “relied solely on the information provided by one person without conducting a full and fair investigation of the incident.”

“This deeply flawed report fueled the victim-blaming online, instead of providing clarity and closure,” the group said.

The alumnae association said Abadilla is known for being kind and compassionate.

“[S]he would never dismiss any person only for mental health issues or (COVID-19),” it said. “[T]his culture of victim-blaming, which often prejudices female victims by assigning full or partial responsibility for a gruesome crime on the victim, is unfair and unjust.”

The group also called on authorities to “ensure a fair and full investigation” on the killing.

“We ask that they conduct a fact-based determination of the reasons why the gunman committed this heinous crime. We also reiterate our earlier calls to stop sharing the photos and video of her death, and to report all social media posts, which seek to exploit her death for views or likes.”

Moreover, it vowed to continue to seek justice for Abadilla’s death. — DVM, GMA News

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