Three people-including the female former mayor of Lamitan, Basilan–were killed in a shooting at the Ateneo de Manila University in Quezon City this Sunday.
The Quezon City government identified the victims as former Lamitan mayor Rose Furigay, her aide Victor Capistrano, and university security guard identified by Ateneo publication The Guidon as Jeneven Bandiala.
The shooting happened in front of the Areté building, where the graduation of law students is held.
Among those who will graduate is Furigay’s daughter, identified as Hannah, who was also injured in the shooting and was rushed to the hospital.
Due to the incident, the university canceled the scheduled graduation ceremony, according to the statement.
“The University assures the community that its campuses are safe, and security protocols are now being reviewed and strengthened further,” according to the Ateneo statement.
“Ateneo is thankful for the swift response and assistance of law enforcement and local government personnel. Ateneo will continue cooperating with the authorities in investigating this incident,” it continued.
In a press conference this Sunday after the incident, Quezon City Police District Director Police Brigadier General Remus Medina said that the suspect in the shooting had been arrested.
Medina identified the suspect as Dr. Chao-Tiao Yumol, 38 years old, resident of Lamitan.
The victim, Furigay, appeared to have charged Yumol with 76 cyber libel cases.
According to Medina, Yumol did not say how long he had been in Metro Manila.
Female ex-mayor of Lamitan, Basilan, 2 others dead in Ateneo shooting
“Wala siyang address. Actually, tinatanong namin kung saan siya nakatira, saan siya nagtatago. Palipat-lipat siya, natutulog siya sa kalsada, sa sasakyan,” said Medina.
In a report by Dano Tingcungco on GMA News “24 Oras Weekend” this Sunday, Barangay Loyola Heights chairperson Darwin Hayes said the suspect changed his clothes before fleeing the shooting.
The suspect was apprehended near Aurora Boulevard.
Chief Justice Alexander G. Gesmundo was supposed to be among the guests at the graduation ceremony, but he was warned not to go because of what happened.
SC spokesperson Brian Keith Hosaka said the Chief Justice is safe.
President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. regretted the incident in a statement.
“We are shocked and saddened by the events at the Ateneo graduation today. We mourn with the bereaved, the wounded, and those whose scars from this experience will run deep,” he said.
“We commit our law enforcement agencies to thoroughly and swiftly investigate these killings and bring all involved to justice,” he continued.
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