THE plot thickens with regard to the Sunday shooting right inside the Ateneo de Manila University as its suspect, a doctor identified as Chao Tiao Yumol, turned out to have had previous legal tussles with his target whom he successfully killedand who turned out to be ex-Lamitan City Mayor Rose Furigay.
Furigay’s aide Victor George Capistrano, and Ateneo security guard Jeneven Bandiala were also killed in the incident which took place as the graduates and parents began arriving for the graduation ceremony of the Ateneo Law School of which Furigay’s daughter, Hannah, who was left wounded, was among the graduates.
Yumol, in earlier social media posts, have accused Furigay and her husband Roderick, the incumbent mayor of Lamitan City, as involved in illegal drugs. Roderick took over the post after Rose finished her three terms which is the limit for such local post.
The incident was deplored by President Ferdinand Marcos. Jr. who said he was “shocked and saddened” by it.
“We mourn with the bereaved, the wounded, and those whose scars from this experience will run deep. We commit our law enforcement agencies to thoroughly and swiftly investigate these killings and bring all involved to justice,” Marcos said.
Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte-Carpio also condemned the incident.
“Such an act of violence should have no place in our society, especially in a place of learning – which is supposed to be considered a safe space for everyone, for the students mainly,” she said.
The Ateneo de Manila itself lamented what happened and had to cancel the graduation event.
In a statement, the university said the incident “has robbed the members of the Law School class of 2022 of what was supposed to be a joyous celebration.”
It also assured that it is cooperating with authorities in their investigation and are also assisting students, staff and guests who have been traumatized.
It was learned that the feud between Yumol and the Furigays stemmed from the closure of Yumol’s infirmary clinic in 2018 reportedly due to its lack of a permit.
Yumol was subsequently charged with multiple cyber libel by the Furigays after he posted various accusations on social media.
