QCPD declares ADMU shooting incident ‘closed’

THE Quezon City Police District (QCPD) declared on Monday the case involving the killing of former Lamitan City, Basilan Mayor Rose Furigay and two others as “closed” following the arrest of the lone gunman and his admission to commission of the crime.

Brig. Gen. Remus Medina, QCPD director, said they were scheduled to file criminal charges against gunman Chao Tiao Yumol on Monday afternoon before the Quezon City Prosecutor’s Office in relation to the killing.

“He was arrested, he admitted to the crime and the weapon used was recovered as evidence. So, the case is closed and we are expecting to file the charges, the earliest after the SONA [State of the Nation Address] of President Marcos,” the Quezon City Police director said.

Yumol, 38, a medical doctor and a resident of Lamitan City, Basilan, shot and killed on Sunday afternoon Furigay, her executive assistant Victor Capistrano and a security guard of the Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU), Jeneven Bandiala.

Furigay was at the compound of ADMU in Quezon City to attend the physical graduation from law school of her 25-year-old daughter Hannah Rose, when she was shot by Yumol, who gained entry in the school campus on board a taxi.

Furigay’s executive assistant and the school’s security guard were also shot during the attack, which also wounded the former mayor’s daughter.

As a result, Ateneo canceled the scheduled graduation ceremonies for its law students, including Furigay’s daughter.

Medina said the motive of the attack was Yumol’s long-standing feud with Furigay and her family. He described the killing as well planned and the suspect as a determined gunman. Yumol is facing more than 70 counts of libel filed by Furigay, which according to Medina, has prevented him from practicing his medical profession.

Yumol also blamed Furigay for shutting down his family’s medical clinic in Lamitan City.

Before the killing, Medina said Yumol went to Manila as he stalked Furigay, sleeping even in streets and inside his car as he waited for a chance to carry out the attack.

The graduation ceremonies provided Yumol the opportunity to carry out the killing and he came prepared, according to the police, as two firearms were recovered from his possession, including the one used.

During the investigation, Yumol also claimed that Furigay and his family were involved in drugs, but the lawyer of his victims belied it, claiming the suspect was a self-anointed anti-drugs crusader.

LPP condemnation

THE League of Provinces of the Philippines (LPP) condemned on Monday the killing of former Lamitan Basilan Mayor Rosita Furigay inside the ADMU campus on Sunday.

“On behalf of the 8-member provinces of the League and their respective governors, we collectively express our unequivocal condemnation on this useless and senseless attempt on the life of Mayor Furigay that has cost her life and that of two others,” LPP President and Marinduque Governor Presbitero J. Velasco Jr. said.

Velasco, also the Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines (ULAP) National chairman, urged the Philippine National Police to investigate the incident and bring to justice the perpetrators of the gruesome crime.

“A lthough we are deeply saddened by this unfortunate incident that happened on what should have been one of the happiest days for the Furigay family, we urge the Philippine National Police and other authorities to investigate this matter thoroughly to ensure that the perpetrators are brought to justice.”

“Furigay self lessly served her constituencies in Lamitan, Basilan to deliver the development they have always aspired for through accountable, transparent, and participative governance,” Velasco said.

“The League also condoles with the families of the two other fatalities—the aide of Mayor Furigay, Victor Capistrano, and the security personnel of the Ateneo de Manila University,” he said.

“Likewise, we also extend our prayers for healing to Hannah Furigay, and all the others who may have suffered both physical and psychological injuries from the incident. It is our sincere prayer that this would not forever mark the memories they have of what should have been a day of celebration for the graduates and their families.”