Former Lamitan mayor, two others killed in Ateneo shooting

The former mayor of Lamitan, Basilan and two others were killed at a shooting incident at Ateneo de Manila University in Quezon City on Sunday.

The Quezon City government identified the victims as former Lamitan mayor Rose Furigay, Furigay's aide Victor Capistrano, and a university security guard identified by Ateneo publication The Guidon as Jeneven Bandiala.

The shooting took place in front of the Areté building, where the law school's graduation was scheduled to take place. Furigay's daughter Hannah, a graduating law student, was wounded and brought to the hospital.

The university cancelled the event due to the incident, it said in a statement.

In a later release, Ateneo said that the campus was "immediately secured."

"The University assures the community that its campuses are safe, and security protocols are now being reviewed and strengthened further," it said. "Ateneo is thankful for the swift response and assistance of law enforcement and local government personnel. Ateneo will continue cooperating with the authorities in the investigation of this incident."

UPDATE: Tatlong indibidwal na ang iniulat na nasawi sa insidente ng pamamaril sa Ateneo de Manila University sa Quezon City. | via @Rodveg72 pic.twitter.com/IUiG8792x3

— DZBB Super Radyo (@dzbb) July 24, 2022

'Isolated case'

In a press conference later Sunday, Quezon City Police District Director Police Brigadier General Remus Medina said the suspect is in custody and that the shooting was an "isolated" incident.

Medina identified the suspect as Dr. Chao-Tiao Yumol, 38, of Lamitan, and said the victims had filed 76 cyber libel cases against him.

He added that Yumol did not say how long he has been in Metro Manila. "Wala siyang address. Actually, tinatanong namin kung saan siya nakatira, saan siya tatago. Palipat-lipat siya, natutulog siya sa kalsada, sa sasakyan," Medina said.

According to Dano Tingcungco's report on 24 Oras, Barangay Loyola Heights chairperson Darwin Hayes said that the suspect was able to change clothes after he fled the scene. He also tried to get a tricycle but that barangay personnel caught up with him.

At the press conference, Medina said that the suspect was able to commandeer a vehicle inside Ateneo, but that he was eventually caught near Aurora Boulevard.

'Shocked and saddened'

Chief Justice Alexander G. Gesmundo, who was supposed to be the guest speaker at the graduation ceremony, had been on his way to the venue when the shooting took place and was advised to turn back.

SC spokesperson Brian Keith Hosaka said Chief Justice was safe.

Per the SC Spokesperson, Atty. Hosaka: Chief Justice Alexander G. Gesmundo was supposed to be the guest speaker in the ADMU Law School Graduation ceremony this afternoon. He was still in transit when the shooting happened and was advised to turn back. The Chief Justice is safe.

— Philippine Supreme Court Public Information Office (@SCPh_PIO) July 24, 2022

In a statement, President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. mourned the tragedy. "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," his statement read.

"We commit our law enforcement agencies to thoroughly and swiftly investigate these killings and bring all involved to justice," it added. — DVM/BM, GMA News