Suspect in Ateneo shooting had personal quarrel with ex-Lamitan mayor —QCPD

The suspect in the deadly shooting that took place inside Ateneo de Manila University on Sunday afternoon had a personal quarrel with at least one of the victims, the Quezon City Police District said.

Killed in the incident, which occurred as the Ateneo law school was holding its graduation ceremony, were former Lamitan City mayor Rose Furigay, Furigay's aide Victor Capistrano, and a university security guard identified by Ateneo publication The Guidon as Jeneven Bandiala.

The ex-mayor's daughter Hannah was wounded and brought to the hospital.

In a press briefing, QCPD director Police Brigadier General Remus Medina identified the suspect as Chao-Tiao Yumol, 38, a medical doctor from Lamitan City, Basilan.

Medina said that the Furigays had filed 76 cyber libel cases against Yumol.

“Initially, sa pagtatanong namin sa kanya mayroon na silang away sa Lamitan… nagpapalitan na sila ng kaso kaya lumalabas personal ang away nila,” Medina said.

(Initially, during our questioning we learned that there were already disputes between them in Lamitan...they were filing cases against each other and the fight was personal.)

“Kaya hindi siya makapag-practice as doctor. Isa yun sa mga motivations niya,” he added.

(He was unable to practice his profession as a doctor. That’s one of his motivations in committing the crime.)

Investigation revealed that Yumol had booked a ride to the campus and so was able to bring in his two firearms.

“Base sa ebidensya, ang gunman nasa loob na ng lobby, pagpasok ng biktima sinalubong ng putok. Nabaril at napatay ang guwardiya. Iniimbestigahan na namin kung sinong nakabarilan niya dahil mayroon siyang tama [ng bala],” Medina said.

(Based on the evidence, the gunman was already inside the lobby. When the victim entered, she was met with gunfire. The guard was shot and killed. We are investigating who shot him because he was also hit.)

“Inaalam natin kung paano nakalusot ang mga baril ng suspek. Dalawang baril at mga bala ang nakuha natin sa suspek. May silencer ang ginamit niya,” he added.

(We are trying to find out how the suspect was able to sneak the firearms in. We seized two guns and ammunition from the suspect. He used a silencer.)

Meanwhile, the police official said the situation in Ateneo is already under control.

He also said the incident was an isolated case, and that it would not affect the security and safety during the first State of the Nation Address of President “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., which will be held at the Batasan Complex only a few kilometers away from Ateneo.

“Ito po ay isang isolated case… sana maging kalmado ang mga kababayan natin dahil bukas ang isa sa mga importanteng event ang mangyayari hopefully wala pong ganitong mga incident. But rest assured ang PNP ay nakahanda sa ganitong scenario,” Medina said.

(This is an isolated case... I hope our countrymen will be calm because one of the important events will happen tomorrow, hopefully there will be no more incidents like this. But rest assured the PNP is prepared for this scenario.) — BM, GMA News