PBBM vows swift probe into Ateneo shooting incident

FILE: President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. gestures as he addresses reporters during a press briefing at the Heroes Hall in Malacañang, Tuesday, July 5, 2022. He met the press following the first meeting of his Cabinet. ROBINSON NIÑAL

MANILA – President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Sunday vowed a swift investigation into the Ateneo shooting incident that left at least three people dead, including a former city mayor in Basilan City.

This, as the President mourned with the bereaved families of Rosita Furigay, former mayor of Lamitan City in Basilan province; Victor George Capistrano, the executive assistant of Furigay; and a certain Bandiola Jeneven.

Hannait, reportedly Furigay’s daughter who was supposed to join the graduation ceremony of the School of Law at the Areté complex inside the Ateneo de Manila University campus in Quezon City, is undergoing treatment.

“We commit our law enforcement agencies to thoroughly and swiftly investigate these killings and bring all involved to justice,” Marcos said in a statement on his official Facebook page.

Marcos said he is “shocked and saddened” by the shooting incident that happened at about 2:55 p.m.

“Our prayers go to the graduates, their families, the Ateneo community, and to the residents of Quezon City and Basilan,” Marcos said.

Furigay was shot while walking towards the lobby of one of the buildings of the school where the graduation of Ateneo Law students was supposed to be held.

She was declared dead in the hospital along with Capistrano.

The National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) identified the alleged shooter as Dr. Chao-Tiao Yumol, 38, and a resident of Basilan.

The Ateneo Law School was supposed to hold its graduation rites, but this was canceled after the shooting as the campus was placed on lockdown.

Inappropriate

Meanwhile, Press Secretary Trixie Cruz-Angeles said an investigation is underway and appropriate action will be taken regarding the tweet of a certain Den Macaranas, allegedly a desk editor at state-run People’s Television Network.

“Nagbarilan na yata ang mga Pinklawan at Dilawan (I think the Pinklawan and Dilawan are engaged in shooting spree) @ateneo,” Macaranas posted on Twitter at 4:15 p.m., referring to the political colors of the opposition.

“Pursuant to this, we called the attention of officials at PTV to investigate the matter. We assure the public that if true, we will take the appropriate action,” Cruz-Angeles said in a statement.

Investigation

Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte denounced the shooting incident and extended condolences to the families and loved ones of those who died in the shooting.

“We strongly denounce the shooting incident at the Ateneo de Manila University. This kind of incident has no place in our society and must be condemned to the highest level,” Belmonte said in a statement.

Her office requested the Quezon City Police District to continue investigating this incident and ensure that swift justice be attained by the victims and their families.

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) also condemned the shooting incident.

“The DILG sincerely sympathizes with the family of the victims of this unfortunate incident as we assure them that we will strengthen the case against the suspect, file the necessary charges, and ensure that the suspect will languish behind bars,” the DILG statement read.

The DILG commended the Quezon City Police District and the Anonas Police Station for their “swift action that led to the immediate arrest of the suspect.”