Cops capture man who gunned down wife, lawyer

By Ben Gines Jr.

11/17/2007

Las Piñas City police yesterday captured the husband who shot dead his wife and her woman lawyer inside the City Hall of Justice building last Thursday morning.

Roberto Tubale, 51, of 5 Leo St., Admiral Village, Talon III, Las Pinas City, was arrested in a follow-up operation in Taguig City last Thursday night.

Tubale shot dead his wife Lolita, 53, and her counsel Rebecca Manuel-Basa, 57, inside the sala of Regional Trial Court Branch 199 Judge Joselito Vibandor before the hearing on marriage annulment case filed by Lolita.

Las Piñas City police chief Supt. Amando Clifton Empiso said Basa suffered a gunshot wound in the head and expired before reaching the Perpetual Help Medical Center.

Lolita also succumbed to bullet wounds in the body around 1 p.m. Thursday while being treated at the same hospital.

Investigation showed the suspect managed to slip past security all the way to the courtroom despite carrying a firearm. Witnesses said the suspect suddenly pulled out a firearm and started shooting at the victims who were seated inside the court room.

Police said there was an obvious breached in security as security guards did not search the people going in and out of the court room.

Policemen who conducted follow-up operations captured the suspect hours later after fleeing from the crime scene at his relative’s house at Signal Village, Taguig City.

Empiso said the suspect is now detained at the Las Piñas City police headquarters awaiting the filing of charges against him.

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