Flags flown at half-mast as Basilan mourns death of former Lamitan Mayor Furigay

ZAMBOANGA CITY – Basilan Gov. Jim Salliman declared a province-wide state of mourning Tuesday, July 24, over the murder of former Lamitan City, Basilan Mayor Rose Furigay.

Flags flew at half-mast at the Basilan provincial capitol since Monday, July 25, a day after Furigay, her executive assistant Victor Capistrano, and Ateneo de Manila University security guard Jeneven Bandiola died in the hands of another Lamiteño, Dr. Chao Tiao-Yumol.

Salliman said the declaration aims to demonstrate Basilan's deep sorrow on the death of Furigay.

Basilan officials had earlier condemned the attack while commending the work done by Furigay in Lamitan.

The officials – Rep. Mujiv Hataman, Salliman, and Isabela City Mayor Sitti Djalia Turabin-Hataman paid their respects to Furigay whose remains lay in a Quezon City chapel.

Furigay's remains are scheduled to be flown to Basilan later this week.

Yumol allegedly shot and killed Furigay, Capistrano, and Bandiola inside the Ateneo de Manila University in Quezon City last Sunday during commencement rites for graduating law students. Furigay's daughter was one of the graduates.