A female police officer was shot dead while her husband was critically injured with a gunshot wound to the head in an apparent murder-suicide attempt in Tubigon town.
Staff Sgt. Juliet Toquib who was last assigned in Clarin was found dead inside the couple’s bedroom in Barangay Centro, Tubigon at past 7 a.m. on Monday while her husband Cpl. Ariel Tuquib remained in critical condition, said Capt. Robert Lucernas, chief of the Tubigon Police Station.
Tuquib was rushed to the Governor Celestino Gallares Memorial Hospital in Tagbilaran City and may be transferred to a private hospital for further treatment.
According to Lucernas, the couple was locked inside their room with their house help and two children right outside when gunshots were heard prompting them to alert the police.
“Ang among theory paghuman niya og pusil sa iyang asawa nagpusil siya sa iyang ulo,” said Lucernas.
Responding police found the lifeless body of Juliet and Ariel who was drenched in his own blood with a gunshot wound in the right side of his head inside their bedroom.
A single pistol, a Glock 17, was recovered by authorities inside the room beside Ariel.
According to Lucernas, Ariel may have been suffering from a mental condition.
“Maghilom-hilom nalang na siya, di na kaayo makig storya-storya og taw,” he said.
Based on initial probe, the couple had been fighting prior to the incident as observed by their children and house help.
Lucernas said that Ariel applied for a disability pension but is still awaiting for approval from the National Police Commission. He is currently assigned at the Police Regional Office 7 administrative holding unit in Cebu and may have been on leave, the police chief added.
Ariel had earlier sought medical treatment for his condition.
“Gipa-doctor na man na iyang bana para ma-ulian unta ba, gipa-hospital. Dugay-dugay na to, mao abi nako’g na okay na maong nakurat nalang mi na nangana siya,” said Lucernas.
Juliet had two children with Ariel, a 12-year-old girl and an eight year-old boy.
Both children were temporarily placed under the custody of Juliet’s sister. (AD)