Manila RTC Judge allegedly shot dead by her own court clerk

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Judge Ma Theresa Abadilla of Manila Regional Trial Court was shot inside her chamber. The suspect is her branch clerk, lawyer Amador Rebato, according to Manila Police District.

Capt. Henry Navarro, Manila Police District Homicide Chief gave an initial update on the death of Judge Abadilla, who says the gunman was depressed while tendering his resignation. It is still unclear what triggered him to use his firearm. 

Judge Abadilla had to be taken down the stairs from the fifth floor while on a chair because the elevator was not working, police said. 

A doctor from the Medical Center Manila has declared Judge Abadilla dead while undergoing treatment at 3:15pm today, according to the Manila police.

According to a city hall security force report given to Mayor Isko Moreno, the suspect was "seen feeling uneasy and shuddering while being questioned by Judge Abadilla and without question shot her at point blank range to the head."  

The alleged gunman has also died after shooting himself, and was still inside the office of the judge.

The body was eventually brought down from the crime scene. Authorities then coordinated with the relatives of the judge and the clerk of court. 

Rumor has it that Judge Abadilla discovered an anomaly involving the suspect.

It is worthy to note that Judge Abadilla, acting as a Pairing Judge, presided over the bail hearing of Rappler's CEO Maria Ressa last year due to Presiding Judge Rainelda Estacio-Montesa's absence.

Judge Abadilla's gunman shot himself dead as well? I can't help but think something's fishy here.

Proven na ba na yung court clerk talaga ang pumatay? Who was the witness? There was no mention of names of the witnesses. Pwede kasing setup yan.

According to a source, "Judge Abadilla, who is described by her colleagues as kind but straightforward, has called the BCC, Atty. Rebato, to her Chambers to explain serious irregularities being committed by him."

Source adds: "He then shot the Judge then turned the gun on himself. Clerk of Court has a number of admin cases in Supreme Court.

We still do not know the real story behind such tragedy, but from what I gather, I hope they will also take notice that mental health is also something we need to consider for the members of the Bar.

Judge Abadilla previously worked in the office of then Chief Justice Lucas Bersamin and Teresita De Castro. 

Ex-Chief Justice Bersamin says he is saddened by her senseless death and condoles with the family.

She is the daughter of the late Metrocom General Rolando Abadilla. 

The case of Norman Mangusing aka Francis Marcos for trafficking and estafa was recently re-raffled to her sala after the former judge inhibited from the case due to death threats. 

Judge Abadilla is the 8th judge to be killed since the Duterte administration in 2016, the 51st in the legal profession (which includes both prosecutors and lawyers).

The President himself stated live on national TV his wish to legalize gunning people down.

And this is what happened hours after his statement: Judge Abadilla was shot inside the Manila City Hall. 

What a sad day for the legal profession today. It's was also a race to the bottom in the reporting of the incident involving Judge Abadilla. 

Some media outfits uploaded the video of her being brought to the hospital, unedited, in full color, without blurring her face, body, etc.

Konting respeto naman po.

Condolences to the bereaved families of CoC Atty. Rebato and Judge Abadilla. 

Chief Justice Diosdado Peralta says passing of Judge Abadilla, whom he knows to be an “upright and highly competent magistrate,” a big loss to Judiciary. He condoles with family who comes from same province. Says he instructed Court Ad Midas Marquez to employ stricter measures.