Policewoman kills policeman-husband over 'irregular' hours, gambling

MANILA, Philippines - A policewoman faces parricide charges for allegedly killing her husband, also a police officer, Saturday.

Police said Police Officer 3 Elizabeth Macabitas of the Philippine National Police’s Health Service Center is in the custody of the Taguig police. The STAR tried to interview Elizabeth but she refused to give any comment.

Based on the account of Elizabeth’s son, she had an argument with her husband, Senior Police Officer 1 Ronaldo Macabitas, at midday on July 11 over his gambling and “irregular house schedule.” 

At about 10:30 p.m. the same day, the son said he heard a gunshot. When he checked his parents’ room, he saw his father’s bloodied body sprawled on the bed. His mother, meanwhile, was in the living room using her cell phone.

Elizabeth and her son immediately sought police assistance and rushed Ronaldo to the Taguig Pateros Hospital for treatment. A police report said Ronaldo was shot in the left eye. He was declared dead on arrival by Dr. Victor Ojales at past midnight Sunday.

Investigators handling the case said “circumstantial evidence” indicates that Elizabeth is the primary suspect in the incident. They said the bedroom was in order when they arrived at the Macabitas family’s house at the BCDA Compound.

“The absence of a struggle inside the master bedroom” is contrary to Elizabeth’s claim that she and her husband wrestled for the gun “when her husband pulled out his firearm,” they said.

Investigators said Elizabeth “invoked her right to remain silent” when they sought to interview her.

As of 2 p.m. yesterday, Ronaldo’s relatives have yet to arrive at the police station.