Yumol family seeks protection after killing of Ateneo shooting suspect's father

The family of Dr. Chao-Tiao Yumol, the suspect in the Ateneo de Manila University shooting incident, sought authorities' protection after Yumol’s father was shot dead in Basilan's Lamitan City Friday morning.

Dr. Yumol's mother, Muykim, appealed to President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. for help after they received reports that their lives were in danger, GMA News' Chino Gaston and Efren Mamac reported Friday on “24 Oras.”

“Mayroon pong bali-balita na pinagiingat na ho kami, na iisa-isahin na raw kami,” the mother said.

(There are rumors that we should be careful, that we would be picked off one by one.)

“Sana matulungan kami ni Presidente ‘Bongbong’ Marcos, nasa panganib na ang buhay namin. President, maawa po kayo sa amin. Nasa threat ho ang buhay naming lahat.”

(I hope President “Bongbong” Marcos will help us. Our lives are in danger. Have mercy on us. All of our lives are being threatened.)

She said that many were advising their family to be careful.

“Gusto ko bumalik yung asawa ko. Yung tao lang ho namin ang nag-aasikaso wala ho kaming ibang ano roon. Pati yung mga tao namin natatakot na rin, yung mga tao namin hindi namin kadugo,” said Muykim.

(I want my husband back. Our workers are also scared. They are not even our relatives.)

Lamitan City Police chief Police Lieutenant Colonel Tadzhabel Managola said Rolando Yumol, a retired policeman, was declared dead on arrival at the hospital after being shot four times in the back.

Authorities have yet to determine the identity and motive of the suspects who killed Rolando.

“Sa mga kababayan natin sa Lamitan, maging mahinahon po tayo. Huwag po tayong magpadalos-dalos, mag-suspect kung may alitan man sila in both parties. Sa ngayon po sinisikap natin makahagilap ng impormasyon. Under thorough investigation pa po yung kaso na ito,” said Managola.

(To our fellow residents in Lamitan, let's be calm. Let's not be too quick to suspect if they have a conflict between both parties. Right now we are trying to gather information, this case is being thoroughly investigated.)

The Philippine National Police (PNP) said it filed multiple cases against Dr. Yumol, who was arrested last Sunday for allegedly opening fire inside the Ateneo campus during the graduation rites of its law school.

Three victims were killed in the Ateneo shooting: former Lamitan Mayor Rose Furigay, Furigay's aide Victor Capistrano, and Ateneo security guard Jeneven Bandiala.

Furigay's daughter, Hannah, was wounded in the incident.

Dr. Yumol faces three counts of murder and frustrated murder in relation to Republic Act 10591 or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act, violation of the Anti-Carnapping Act of 2016, and malicious mischief.

“We believe that we have a strong case [against Dr. Yumol] considering all the evidence and testimonies we gathered. All these are leading to the suspect we have under custody,” said PNP Officer-In-Charge Police Lieutenant General Vicente Danao Jr.

“As of now, the suspect remains in the custody of the QCPD. We assure that the suspect is afforded his constitutional rights, at the same time no special favors will be granted to him.”

Meanwhile, the Furigay's lawyer, Atty. Quirino Esguerra, denied that his clients had anything to do with Rolando Yumol's killing.

"Wala pong basis na related [ang pagpatay kay Rolando] sa [Ateneo shooting] incident," said Esguerra. "At saka uulitin ko, hindi po nila nilagay ang batas sa kanilang kamay."

Preventive measure

Meanwhile, interviewed on Super Radyo dzBB, Basilan Provincial Police Director Police Colonel Pedro Martirez said he ordered security tightened around the Yumol family to prevent the situation from “further escalating”.

“‘Yun ang preventive measure na naisip natin ng ating kapulisan at naisip ko rin para sa ganoon… ma-protect ang family ni Yumol at pamilya ng ating ex-Mayor Rose Furigay,” said Martirez.

(That was the preventive measure that our police and I thought of to protect both the families of Yumol and ex-Mayor Rose Furigay.)

“Meron tayong tropa na nagbabantay sa kanya kahapon. Sinabihan siya na wag masyadong lalabas. Hintayin munang bumalik ang tropa natin para mabigyan sila ng protection,” Martirez said.

(We had men who were guarding Rolando yesterday. He was told to wait for our men to return so they could provide protection.)

“Unfortunately ‘yun na, di rin inaasahan. Meron din siyang nakuhang baril sa kanya pero naunahan kasi. Apat na tama ng bala sa kanyang likuran at mabilis ang pangyayari. Nakaalis na agad ang mga suspect na nakasakay sa motor,” he added.

(Unfortunately, that happened. He had a gun on him but the perpetrators beat him to it. He was shot four times in the back. The assailants on the motorcycle immediately fled.)

Though local police tightened the security around Yumol’s family Martirez said other members of Rolando's family had already left the city.

“Accordingly, ‘yung family po ng biktima na si Rolando Yumol, wala na po sa area. ‘Yung asawa at isang anak. Wala na po sila doon pero binabantayan pa rin natin ‘yung bahay na pinangyarihan ng krimen,” he added.

(Rolando’s family left the city. His wife and child, they already left. But we’re guarding the house where the incident happened.)

According to Martirez, the investigation into the case was still ongoing as authorities have yet to identify persons of interest in Rolando's killing.

They are also following up on the possible leads, statements of witnesses, and CCTV footage of the Lamitan shooting. — Richa Allyssa Noriega/Sundy Locus,DVM, GMA News