Cop who killed wife, son to undergo psych checkup

MANILA, Philippines - The arraignment of the Quezon City policeman who killed his wife and 12-year-old son in a shooting rampage at their home last May has been deferred as he is set to undergo examination to determine his mental capacity to stand trial. 

During a hearing last Friday, Judge Juris Dilinila-Callanta ordered Police Officer 2 Roal Sabiniano to undergo a three-month diagnostic evaluation at the National Center for Mental Health (NCMH). 

Sabiniano is facing two counts of parricide after he killed his spouse of 17 years, Mary Jane, and their son, Aljon Dave, who were watching television in the living room. 

The order disappointed Sabiniano’s family, especially his 16-year-old daughter, who witnessed the killing and was able to save her one-year-old sister. 

Senior Inspector Joy Manzo, a neuropsychiatrist from the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, testified in an earlier hearing that Sabiniano was suffering from psychosis and schizophrenic episodes. 

She had recommended for the immediate transfer of Sabiniano to the NCMH for evaluation and recovery until he regains the capacity to stand trial. 

Thelma Cunanan, Mary Jane’s mother, said this was just an alibi – Sabiniano was able to cook lunch for his children before the shooting and showed no signs of mental incapacity. 

He tested positive for illegal drugs after the shooting. 

Sabiniano had emptied at least two magazines and fired at least 38 shots from his 9mm Taurus pistol, probers said. 

The arraignment and pre-trial has been slated for Nov. 24.