The paths of former Lamitan City Mayor Rose Furigay and the suspect in her killing and two others, Dr. Chao Tiao Yumol, have crossed years back on allegations of illegal drug trade and corruption against Firugay.
In November 2020, Yumol posted on his Facebook page his gripes against the corruption that has been plaguing the town of Lamitan.
“Magmula ng ibulgar ko ang talamak na sindikato ng droga at malawak na sindikato ng nakawan sa pondo ng gobyerno sa bayan ng Lamitan, hindi na ako nawalan ng banta sa buhay,” Yumol said. (Since I started to expose the drug syndicate and the rampant corruption in the local government of Lamitan, I have been getting numerous death threats.)
He said that a man dressed in black approached him in his residence in Quezon City and hit his face with a hard object that made him collapse on the ground.
The man threatened Yumol saying "LAST WARNING MO NA YAN GALING SA MAG-ASAWANG FURIGAY (This is your last warning from the Furigays)."
He filed a police report with Police Station 9 in Anonas, Quezon City.
Yumol also posted several pictures of his battered face.
He is an outspoken critic of Furigay and had repeatedly connected the town mayor to illegal drug activities.
In several of his Facebook posts, he repeatedly called on the government to investigate the alleged corruption of Furigay, including illegal drug activities.
He also called on former President Rodrigo Duterte for help as his administration declared a war against illegal drugs.
As his calls for help and continued exposes went unheeded, Yumol apparently planned the assassination and took justice in his own hands.
The graduation ceremony of Ateneo Law students on Sunday, July 24, was the perfect crime scene for Yumol.
According to the Quezon City Police District, Yumol is facing over 70 cases filed against him by Furigay.