Lawman shoots wife dead, then kills self

MANILA, Philippines - A police lieutenant shot his wife dead and then killed himself in front of their 10-year-old daughter in Davao City early yesterday morning.

Police said Inspector Edwin Mabalot, 37, shot himself in the mouth with the bullet exiting through the back of his head, after fatally shooting his wife Melanie, 32, in the left side of the neck.

Mabalot was undergoing a field training program at the San Pedro police station in Davao City.

In a report to Camp Crame, Chief Superintendent Pedro Tango, Southern Mindanao police director, said the incident took place at around 3 a.m. at the Mabalots’ residence at Wellspring Highlands in Barangay Catalunan, Pequeño district.

Tango said Mabalot’s daughter, Christine Angel, was awakened by gunfire and saw her mother lifeless on the floor.

“She (the girl) saw her father put the muzzle of his firearm in his mouth and squeeze the trigger,” Tango said.

Police could not say yet why Mabalot killed his wife, but added that a few days ago, Tango ordered Mabalot’s immediate superior to disarm him, as he appeared to be emotionally disturbed during the training. But before he could be disarmed, the tragedy took place.