MANILA (5th UPDATE)— A shooting incident took place inside the Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU) campus in Quezon City on Sunday, leaving 3 people dead and at least 1 person injured.

Former Lamitan, Basilan Mayor Rose Furigay and her long-time aide Victor Capistrano were killed in the incident, her camp confirmed.

A security guard named Jeneven Bandiala was also killed, Quezon City Police District Director BGen. Remus Medina said.

Furigay’s 25-year-old daughter Hanna Rose, who is supposed to graduate today, was wounded.

“Si Mayor sustained a fatal gunshot wound in the chest and in the head. Hanna, also in the head and in the abdomen,” Furigay’s lawyer, Atty. Quirino Esguerra said.

GRUDGE VERSUS FURIGAY

The alleged gunman, who was identified as Chao-Tiao Yumol, holds a grudge against the Furigays over the closure of a clinic near the Lamitan City Hall, the slain former mayor’s legal counsel said.

Yumol who is a medical doctor, had a bloodied face when he was presented to the media at the QCPD headquarters in Camp Karingal.

He accused the Furigays of being involved in illegal drugs in Basilan.

"Sana magamit ninyo 'yung perang pinagkakitaan ninyo sa pagbebenta ng droga sa probinsiya namin, pagsira sa buhay ng mga kabataan sa Mindanao dahil sa pagbebenta ninyo ng droga," Yumol said, adding that he hopes that the current administration will revive the war on drugs in Mindanao.

The bodies of the three people who were allegedly killed by Yumol have been brought to funeral homes and are slated to undergo an autopsy.

Esguerra meanwhile belied the suspect’s claim that he killed the ex-Mayor because of her alleged involvement in the illegal drug trade.

“That is not true,” Esguerra said adding that Lamitan City had won several awards for good governance.

As early as 2018, Yumol has been posting baseless accusations against Furigay, prompting the politician to file at least 70 cyber libel cases against him, Esguerra said.

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'DETERMINED ASSASSIN'

Medina meanwhile said that Yumol entered the Ateneo campus by using a ride-hailing service. Yumol was able to sneak in 2 guns as the ride-hailing car was not inspected, Medina said.

Yumol also did not have an address in Metro Manila and would often change residences or even sleep in vehicles, Medina said.

“Mukhang determined assassin lumalabas itong si Dr. Yumol,” Medina said.

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Sources at the site told ABS-CBN News that the shooting occurred as the Ateneo Law School was scheduled to hold its commencement exercises at 4 p.m. Sunday.

One of the graduating students said gunshots were heard at the Areté Building at around 2 p.m.

“Someone shot a bodyguard and girl na binabantayan nila and everyone fled away from the incident. After that may successive shots pa outside and inside Areté,” the student told ABS-CBN News over the phone.

Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo was supposed to be the ceremony's graduation speaker, but was in transit when the shooting happened and he was advised to turn back, Supreme Court spokesperson Brian Keith Hosaka said.

"The Chief Justice is safe," he added.

The GUIDON, ADMU's student publication, also reported that the campus is on lockdown. Police are still at the scene as of writing.

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has also sent a team of its agents to the ADMU campus to investigate and extend assistance to the victims and school authorities.

ADMU has also canceled the Ateneo Law School's commencement exercises.

"Ateneo is continuing to work with the police and other authorities to deal with the incident," the university said in a tweet.

CONDEMNATIONS

In a separate statement, ADMU condemned the incident as it expressed its heartfelt condolences to the family of the victims.

"Ateneo de Manila University extends its heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims. There is no acceptable reason fro violence. We hope and pray that justice will be swiftly served," it said.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said he was “shocked and saddened” by the incident.

“We mourn with the bereaved, the wounded, and those whose scars from this experience will run deep,” Marcos said in a statement.

He also ordered law enforcers “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,” Marcos said.

Vice President Sara Duterte 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.

She also urged the Philippine National Police to address gun violence in the country.

"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," she added.

Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte also denounced the shooting incident.

“We also extend our sincerest condolences to the families and loved ones of the victims who lost their lives in the incident,” Belmonte said.

She also said the Quezon City government and the QCPD will work to ensure that no untoward incident will occur during Marcos’ State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday.

Announcement

Due to the incident at Areté, the 2022 Commencement Exercises of the Ateneo Law School scheduled for today, 24 July 2022, has been cancelled.

Ateneo is continuing to work with the police and other authorities to deal with the incident.

— Ateneo de Manila University (@ateneodemanilau) July 24, 2022

Meanwhile, the Legal Education Board expressed deep concern over the shooting incident which occurred inside the ADMU campus.

"We reiterate that all schools, including legal education institutions, are zones of peace - and must be free from all forms of violence," it said in a statement.

It also said it is willing to assist in any way it can.

—with reports from Raffy Cabristante, Katrina Domingo, Jaehwa Bernardo, Anna Cerezo, and Mike Navallo, ABS-CBN News