CEBU CITY – A police officer fatally shot his wife inside a police station in the City of Naga, southern Cebu on Christmas Day.
Lt. Col. Junnel Caadlawon, chief of the City of Naga police, identified the victim as Heronia Mata, a 39-year-old teacher.
Heronia showed up at the police station to file a complaint against her husband, Staff Sgt. Fernando Mata, 35.
Police said Heronia was inside the Women and Children’s Protection Desk (WCPD) processing her complaint when Fernando barged in at 2:40 p.m. and repeatedly shot his wife with his service firearm.
Fernando did not resist arrest. His service firearm was found on top of a table inside the office.
The victim died on the way to the hospital.
Caadlawon said the couple had an argument in their home in Barangay Tuyan, City of Naga before the victim went to the police station to file a complaint against Fernando.
Heronia had previously filed a complaint against her husband after she was allegedly beaten several times. No charges were filed against the suspect after their differences were settled.
The couple has two daughters, police said.
The WCPD office is on the second floor of the police station. At the time of the incident, there were only three persons inside – the suspect, the victim, and the WCPD staffer who attended to the complainant.
A charge for parricide will be filed against the suspect, Caadlawon said.