Former Lamitan City mayor, 2 others killed in gun attack

ZAMBOANGA CITY - A lone gunman shot dead the former mayor of Lamitan City in a daring attack Sunday afternoon inside a prestigious Catholic university in Manila. 

Rosita (Rose) Furigay

The attacker, Dr Chao Yumol, was arrested following the shooting of Rosita Furigay that also left two people dead - her bodyguard Victor George Capistrano, and Jeneven Bandiola, a security guard of the Ateneo de Manila. Furigay's daughter, Hanna, was wounded in the attack. 

Dr Chao Yumol (CTTO)

The university's Quezon City campus was the venue of the graduation ceremony of the Ateneo. 

President Bongbong Marcos said he was shocked by the news of the attack and ordered the police to investigate the motive of the murder. "We are shocked and saddened by the events at the Ateneo graduation today. We mourn with the bereaved, the wounded, and those whose scars from this experience will run deep," he said.

"We commit our law enforcement agencies to thoroughly and swiftly investigate these killings and bring all involved to justice. Our prayers go to the graduates, their families, the Ateneo community, and to the residents of Quezon City and Basilan," he added.

Vice President Sara Duterte also condemned the attack. Her spokesman, lawyer Reynold Munsayac, issued this statement on her behalf: "Vice President Sara Duterte strongly condemns the shooting incident inside Ateneo de Manila University campus Sunday afternoon. 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."

"The Vice President sends her prayers and deepest condolences to the victims' families. The Philippine National Police is also strongly urged to address gun violence in the country — and consistent operations against illegal firearms could be one of the effective measures to do this," he added.

Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte strongly denounced the shooting. "This kind of incident has no place in our society and must be condemned to the highest level," she said. "We request the Quezon City Police District to continue investigating this incident and ensure that swift justice be attained by the victims and their families. We also extend our sincerest condolences to the families and loved ones of the victims who lost their lives in the incident," she added. 

Furigay's husband, Roderick is the current mayor of Lamitan City. 

Quezon City Police Chief,  Brigadier General Remus Medina, also condemned the attack. 

"Nagpahayag kami ng taos-pusong pakikidalamhati sa mga biktima lalo na sa kanilang pamilya. Mariin po naming kinokondena ang insidente dahil hindi namin kinukunsinti ang anumang karahasan at kawalang-katarungan lalo na dito sa Lungsod Quezon. Sisiguraduhin namin ang agarang solusyon upang mabigyan ng hustisya ang mga biktima," he said.

The assailant, who previously worked in Lamitan hospital, is locked in a legal battle with the Furigays. Yumol was previously ambushed while driving his bullet-proof car in Zamboanga City in December 2020. He was unhurt in the ambush. (Mindanao Examiner)