DOJ orders NBI to probe judge’s death in her office

November 13, 2020

Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra ordered the National Bureau of Investigation to probe the death of a Manila City regional trial court judge inside her own office last Wednesday.

Judge Maria Teresa Abadilla of the Manila City RTC, Branch 45, was shot allegedly by her own clerk of court, Amador Rebato, Jr., whose body was later found, police said.

"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 in a text message.

Chief Justice Diosdado Peralta earlier ordered Court Administrator Jose Midas Marquez to implement stricter security in courthouses.  DMS