ATTY. Amador Rebato, Jr., the clerk of court who shot and killed Manila Regional Trial Court Branch 45 Judge Maria Teresa Abadilla right inside her chamber at the fifth floor of the Manila City Hall, was fidgety but did not show any sign of what he was about to do.
This was learned from PCapt. Henry Navarro, chief of the Manila Police District-Homicide Section, who said that based on the account of a witness, the incident shocked the sister of Rebato who accompanied him that day to the office to tender his resignation.
It was learned that Rebato had contracted COVID-19 in August and recovered but his performance got affected when he returned to work, that he decided to resign.
His sister accompanied him to tender a formal resignation but inside the judge’s chamber, it was only Rebato and Abadilla who talked.
A witness said no shouting was heard until a shot rang out, leaving both with gunshot wounds.
Abadilla was rushed downstairs by the staff of Manila Secretary to the Mayor Bernie Ang namely, Jerico Reyes, Peter Olalia, Lumba Lloyd and Aaron Alejandrino, who happened to be within the area and who noticed the commotion inside the judge’s office.
Abadilla, who was shot in the face, expired at the Manila Medical Center while Rebato died on the spot due to a gunshot wound in the right temple.
Navarro said a .9mm was used by Rebato in shooting Abadilla and then himself and that the case is still under investigation.
The shooting incident took place at about 2:45 p.m.inside Branch 45 located at Room 535, 5th Floor of the Manila City Hall located on A. Villegas Street in Ermita, Manila.
