Ex-Lamitan mayor, 2 others killed in shooting inside Ateneo de Manila

MANILA, Philippines – A former mayor of Lamitan City, Basilan, and at least two others were killed in a shooting inside Ateneo de Manila University in Quezon City on Sunday, July 24.

Ex-mayor Rose Furigay was at the university to attend the Ateneo Law School graduation of her daughter, Hannah Furigay.

Hannah was wounded and rushed to the hospital.

The Quezon City Police District (QCPD) named the two other fatalities as Jeneven Bandiola and Victor George Capistrano.

In an interview with CNN Philippines, QCPD Director Brigadier General Remus Medina said a suspect was captured by police along Aurora Boulevard.

“Ang gusto kong i-confirm nag-commandeer siya ng sasakyan, nakuha niya doon sa Ateneo, tinakbo niya dito papuntang Aurora Boulevard so doon natin siya nakuha sa Aurora Boulevard,” Medina said.

(I confirm that the suspect commandeered a vehicle which he got inside Ateneo, and he drove toward Aurora Boulevard so we caught him on Aurora Boulevard.)

Canceled graduation rites

The university was placed under lockdown due to the shooting. Graduation rites of the Ateneo Law School scheduled for 4 pm were canceled.

According to Supreme Court spokesperson Brian Keith Hosaka, Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo was supposed to be the guest speaker for the graduation, and was still in transit when the shooting happened. He was advised to turn back and is safe.

Basilan Representative Mujiv Hataman condemned the shooting and called for justice.

“I urge the authorities to prosecute the perpetrator of this dastardly crime to the full extent of the law,” Hataman said in a statement on Sunday.

He also said Furigay had done a lot for Lamitan, noting that the city was awarded the Seal of Good Local Governance from 2016 to 2019.

Furigay’s husband Roderick is the incumbent mayor of Lamitan City. – Rappler.com