Gunman's accusations vs. ex-mayor Furigay 'untrue,' says family lawyer

There is no truth to the gunman's accusations that slain former Lamitan City mayor Rose Furigay and her family were involved in the illegal drug trade, according to the family's legal counsel.

"His story is untrue," said Atty. Quirino Esguerra Jr. in James Agustin's report on Unang Balita on Monday.

According to Esguerra, the gunman, Dr. Chao-Tiao Yumol, has a personal grudge against Furigay after the local government ordered the closure of his infirmary clinic for supposedly operating without the necessary permit.

"He (Yumol) was even required to explain by the City Council and by the City Mayor, but what he did, he castigated them. He posted them on Facebook, malicious insinuation. So the mayor wouldn't like to confront him about this, they filed cases. There are pending 60 cyberlibel cases," Esguerra said.

The clinic, Esguerra said, is located just right across the street from the Lamitan City Hall.

Aside from Furigay, two other people were killed in the shooting incident that marred the graduation ceremony of the Ateneo law school in Quezon City on Sunday afternoon.

Also killed were Furigay's aide Victor Capistrano and Ateneo security guard Jeneven Bandiala.

Furigay's daughter, meanwhile, was wounded in the incident but is now in stable condition, according to Esguerra.

"Hannah is in stable condition. She sustained a graze wound in the head and two wounds in the abdomen," he said.

Former mayor Furigay, on one hand, suffered gunshot wounds to the head and chest.

Yumol, 38, was arrested shortly after the incident. Investigation revealed that he had booked a ride to the Ateneo de Manila University campus and so was able to bring in his two firearms.

The incident occurred while a gun ban was in effect in Metro Manila in connection with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr's first State of the Nation Address (SONA) scheduled on Monday afternoon.

In a separate Unang Balita report, Yumol accused the Furigay family of being behind several attempts on his life.

"Tatlong beses akong pina-ambush ng pamilyang ito. Pag pumunta kayo sa social media ko makikita niyo ilang beses akong humingi ng tulong kasi pinapa-ambush nila ako," he said.

(This family tried to have me killed three times. If you check my social media, you'll see how many times I asked for help because they are trying to kill me.)

Yumol was wounded before he was arrested but it was not clear who shot him. Police investigation is ongoing. —KBK, GMA News