A former mayor of Lamitan City in Basilan was killed in what appears to be a planned assassination inside the Ateneo de Manila University in Quezon City on Sunday, July 24.
Former mayor Rose Furigay was declared dead in the hospital along with an unidentified person, believed to be a personal assistant of Furigay.
Police Brig. Gen. Remus Medina, director of the Quezon City Police District (QCPD), said Furigay was shot while walking towards a lobby of one of the buildings of the school where the graduation of Ateneo Law students was supposed to be held.
The shooting forced the Ateneo de Manila University management to cancel the graduation ceremony.
“The former mayor was in the area to attend the graduation of her daughter,” Medina said.
Medina said the third fatality was a security guard of Ateneo who tried to stop the gunman from escaping.
He said two others were injured in the gun attack.
The gunman
Medina identified the gunman as Dr. Chao Yumol, also a native of Lamitan City.
“He was arrested near the corner of Aurora Boulevard (Cubao) on board a vehicle which he stole near the Ateneo area to escape,” said Medina.
Medina said they are yet to establish the motive behind the shooting but the official said there were indications that Yumol and Furigay knew each other.
“The suspect has a personal motive but we will still determine that. He is now under our custody,” said Medina.
The official said Yumol also suffered a bulletwound, apparently from one of the security guards who tried to stop him from escaping after the gun attack.
Condemnation
Police Lt. Gen. Vicente Dana, Jr., PNP officer-in-charge, condemned the incident, adding that the PNP is on top of the situation and stiffer security measures are being implemented especially in Quezon City and the rest of Metro Manila.
“We are assuring the public that this incident doesn't represent the entire peace and order situation in the country,” said Danao.
“The PNP immediately responded to the scene of the incident and the gunman was arrested right away. Probe is ongoing and appropriate charges will be filed against the suspect,” he added.