A shooting incident interrupted Ateneo de Manila University’s (AdMU) Law School Graduation Rites in Quezon City yesterday, resulting in three deaths and two injured victims.

Quezon City Police District (QCPD) reported former Lamitan, Basilan Mayor Rosita Furigay, and her husband, Lamitan City’s incumbent Mayor Roderick Furigay dead, as well as their executive assistant Victor George Capistrano, and AdMU guard Jeneven Bandiola.

When the incident happened, the ex-mayor and her spouse attended their daughter, Hannah’s, law school graduation ceremony. Hannah, who was also injured in the shooting, is currently recovering at Quirino Memorial Medical Center.

An unnamed bystander also sustained critical wounds from the crossfire.

The shooter, who was also wounded, was identified as Chao-Tiao Yumol, 38 and a physician. He is already in QCPD’s custody.

In an interview with CNN Philippines, QCPD PBGen. Remus Medina revealed that Yumol, who was apprehended along Aurora Boulevard, has a deep grudge against the primary victims.

“Sa pagtatanong namin sa kanya, meron na silang long history ng away sa Lamitan, Basilan…Lumalabas, personal ang away nila,” he said.

The suspect said that the Lamitans were part of the locality’s drug trade operations, deciding to take the issue within his jurisdiction. 

“Matagal na po akong humihingi sa gobyerno para imbestigahan ang droga sa amin sa Basilan kasi grabe ang kondisyon sa amin. Mga 13-year-old, nag-aadik,” Yumol said.

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos has also expressed his sympathies for the victims, pledging a swift investigation via a Facebook post.

“We commit our law enforcement agencies to thoroughly and swiftly investigate these killings and bring all involved to justice,” he said.

Vice President and Department of Education Secretary Sara Duterte has also gone to Facebook to condemn 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. 

Basilan Representative Mujiv Hataman said that Mayor Rose will be remembered as a good politician who was a recipient of the Seal of Good Local Governance ng DILG for four years, from 2016 to 2019.

AdMU already released a statement denouncing the incident and formally canceled the graduation ceremony.