Ateneo de Manila University shooting explained
On July 24, 2022, a mass shooting took place at the Ateneo de Manila University in Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines, leaving three people dead and three others injured, including the assailant.[3] [4] [5] The attacker, identified as Chao-Tiao Yumol, successfully targeted former Mayor Rose Furigay of Lamitan, Basilan, who was at the university to attend her daughter's graduation.
Background
About an hour before the attack, a graduation ceremony was scheduled to be conducted for students of the Ateneo de Manila University School of Law.[6] The perpetrator was able to enter the campus through a GrabTaxi with his weapons left unchecked despite the imposition of a gun ban as part of the heightened security for Philippine President Bongbong Marcos's State of the Nation Address the following day.[7] [8] He later blended with the crowd and waited for his target to appear.
While homicide rates are high in the Philippines, mass shootings – particularly school shootings – are not common. However, politically motivated crimes are prevalent.[9] [10] Federico Pascual Jr., a columnist at The Philippine Star, opined that "the Ateneo incident could be described as a mass shooting" but the Quezon City police said that the gunman "was targeting Furigay, with other victims presumably just collateral damage."[11]
Details
Shooting
At around 3:30 p.m., on July 24, 2022, the gunman opened fire outside the university's Areté building, the venue for the graduation ceremony. Rosita Furigay was the main target of the perpetrator.[12] She was killed along with a security guard, Jeneven Bandiala, who was attempting to thwart the gunman,[13] and Victor George Capistrano, Furigay's executive assistant. Hannah Furigay, the former mayor's daughter who was among the graduating students, was injured.[14] Julia Manabat, mother of another graduating student and a nurse, was also injured.[15] The attacker was also wounded by a gunshot fired by security guards of the university.[16]
Chase and arrest
In an aftermath video, students and university officials were seen fleeing and screaming while others took care of the victims.[17] The assailant escaped the crime scene by threatening a certain Mr. Palma and taking possession of his vehicle.[18] [19] After making it to Aurora Boulevard and crashing through several vehicles, he was blocked by a group of people. He then fled on foot and later, boarded a public utility mini-bus where he was eventually arrested by responding police officers as they stopped the mini-bus and demanded the suspect to get off.[20] The police officers were tipped off by motorcycle riders that the suspect boarded public transportation.
Perpetrator
Chao-Tiao Yumol, a doctor and a resident of Lamitan was identified as the suspected attacker. Initial reports stated that the police named the suspect as Ramil Nicodemez Y Hermo[21] but it turned out that the name is Yumol's alias.[22] According to the police, Yumol admitted to being the one who carried out the shooting incident.[23] [24] He had no permanent residence in Metro Manila and was always on the run to carry out the assassination. In 2018, a cease and desist order was issued to Yumol's clinic in Lamitan by the Bangsamoro government.[25] Yumol was also the subject of more than 70 cyberlibel complaints filed by the Furigays over his accusations of their involvement in the drug trade[26] and corruption.[27] The lawyer of the Furigays denied these allegations.[28]
The police further said that the lone suspected gunman committed the crime due to "personal motives" as he had a long history of conflict with the Furigays. They confiscated from Yumol a 9mm pistol registered under his name. Another weapon taken from Yumol, a .45 caliber pistol, was used in the shootings, although this did not belong to Yumol but to a Philippine Army officer named Jeremy Aquino.[29] It was reported that Aquino lost the pistol in 2019 when he was assigned in Patikul, Sulu. The acting spokesperson of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Col. Medel Aguilar, confirmed this and emphasized that no army personnel was involved in the shootings.[30]
Reactions
Several organizations and public personalities condemned the incident.[31] President Marcos demanded an immediate investigation into the shooting.[32] Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte denounced the shooting, stating that "this kind of incident has no place in our society and must be condemned to the highest level" while extending condolences to the victims' families. The Philippine Red Cross dispatched eight bags of blood to the Quirino Memorial Medical Center where the injured victims were recovering.[33]
The Ateneo de Manila University canceled the graduation ceremony for its law school students scheduled to occur hours after the shooting and pledged to assist any students, faculty, staff, and guests affected by the incident.[34] The university's administration assured the public that "its campuses are safe" and that its security protocols "are being reviewed and strengthened further."[35] Members of the Ateneo de Manila community also pledged to provide financial support to Bandiala's family and launched a QR code payment donation channel.[36] Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo, the invited commencement speaker, was in transit at the time of the shooting and "was advised to turn back."[37] According to Supreme Court spokesperson Brian Keith Hosaka, the chief justice was safe.[38]
Aftermath
Legal proceedings
On July 25, 2022, a day after the shooting, the Quezon City Police District of the National Capital Region Police Office charged Chao Tiao Yumol with three counts of murder and attempted murder before inquest proceedings at the city prosecutor's office. Yumol was also charged with illegal possession of firearm,[39] motor vehicle theft and malicious mischief worth (around US$1,430 as of July 27, 2022).
Incidental events
The perpetrator's father, Rolando Yumol, was shot dead by two unidentified men on board a motorcycle in front of his house in Lamitan days later after the incident.[40] The police advised the public not to theorize that the attack in Ateneo brought about the killing of Yumol's father.[41] The lawyer of the Furigays also defended his clients and said that it is "unfair to judge them that they are involved in this."[42]
Meanwhile, on August 6, a man with the surname Yumol was also gunned down in the same city. The police later corrected a spot report, clarifying that the victim is not related to the perpetrator, not before several media outlets erroneously reported otherwise.[43]
Notes and References
- News: July 24, 2022 . Ex-Basilan mayor, 2 others dead in Ateneo shooting . . live . July 24, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220725072008/https://www.philstar.com/nation/2022/07/24/2197693/basilan-mayor-among-reported-casualties-ateneo-shooting . July 25, 2022.
- News: Mendoza . John Eric . July 24, 2022 . Suspect in Ateneo shooting had 'personal motives' — QCPD . Philippine Daily Inquirer . July 26, 2022 . July 26, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220726025447/https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1633505/suspect-in-ateneo-shooting-had-personal-motives-qcpd . live .
- News: Bolledo . Jairo . July 24, 2022 . What we know so far: The shooting incident inside Ateneo . Rappler . July 27, 2022 . July 27, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220727033233/https://www.rappler.com/nation/what-we-know-so-far-shooting-incident-ateneo-de-manila-university/ . live .
- News: July 24, 2022 . 3 dead in Ateneo de Manila University shooting, including former mayor from Basilan . ABS-CBN News . July 24, 2022.
- News: July 24, 2022 . Former Lamitan mayor, two others killed in Ateneo shooting . GMA News . live . July 24, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220725072008/https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/metro/839206/pnp-1-killed-1-injured-in-ateneo-shooting/story/ . July 25, 2022.
- News: July 24, 2022 . FAST FACTS: Who is ex-Lamitan mayor Rosita Furigay? . Rappler . live . July 24, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220725072009/https://www.rappler.com/nation/things-to-know-former-lamitan-mayor-rosita-furigay/ . July 25, 2022.
- News: Atienza . Kyle Aristophere T. . Ordoñez . John Victor D. . July 25, 2022 . Experts say Ateneo shooting signals bigger security issue . . July 27, 2022 . July 26, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220726071506/https://www.bworldonline.com/the-nation/2022/07/25/463499/experts-say-ateneo-shooting-signals-bigger-security-issue/ . live .
- News: July 25, 2022 . 'Determined assassin' is a doctor, QCPD says of suspect in Ateneo shooting . ABS-CBN News . July 27, 2022 . July 27, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220727023002/https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/07/25/22/determined-assassin-is-a-doctor-qcpd-on-ateneo-shooting-suspect . live .
- de Guzman . Chad . June 15, 2022 . Why the Philippines Has Lots of Guns But Very Few Mass Shootings Despite Easy Access to Guns . live . Time . https://web.archive.org/web/20220724024320/https://time.com/6186982/philippines-guns-mass-shootings/ . July 24, 2022 . July 25, 2022.
- News: Cursino . Malu . July 24, 2022 . Philippines shooting: Ex-mayor among three dead . BBC News . live . July 25, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220725072010/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-62285110 . July 25, 2022 . School and university shootings are rare in the Philippines but killings of politicians are fairly common..
- News: Pascual Jr . Federico D. . July 26, 2022 . Pol's shooting mars SONA's positive air . The Philippine Star . July 27, 2022 . July 26, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220726174520/https://www.philstar.com/opinion/2022/07/26/2197966/pols-shooting-mars-sonas-positive-air . live .
- News: July 24, 2022 . Philippines: Gunman kills 3 in university attack . . July 27, 2022 . July 26, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220726205558/https://www.dw.com/en/philippines-gunman-kills-3-in-university-attack/a-62578076 . live .
- News: Ravela . Gillaine . July 25, 2022 . 'He deserves to be named and recognized': Filipinos mourn death of Ateneo guard . The Philippine Star . July 26, 2022 . July 26, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220726010258/https://interaksyon.philstar.com/trends-spotlights/2022/07/25/223022/he-deserves-to-be-named-and-recognized-filipinos-mourn-death-of-ateneo-guard/ . live .
- News: Adel . Rosette . July 25, 2022 . Ateneo shooting: What we know about suspect Chao Tiao Yumul . Interaksyon . live . July 25, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220725072010/https://interaksyon.philstar.com/trends-spotlights/2022/07/25/223019/chao-tiao-yumul-suspect-ateneo-shooting/ . July 25, 2022.
- News: Reyes . Dempsey . Alipala . Julie . July 27, 2022 . Raps filed vs Yumol; 1 gun traced to Army officer . Philippine Daily Inquirer . July 28, 2022 . July 27, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220727155916/https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1635272/raps-filed-vs-yumol-1-gun-traced-to-army-officer . live .
- News: Tupas . Emmanuel . July 27, 2022 . Raps filed vs Ateneo shooter . . July 27, 2022 . July 26, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220726225412/https://www.philstar.com/nation/2022/07/27/2198186/raps-filed-vs-ateneo-shooter . live .
- News: Gomez . Jim . July 24, 2022 . Man opens fire on Philippine campus, killing 3 people . . July 27, 2022 . 0190-8286 . September 2, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220902110600/https://www.washingtonpost.com/ . live .
- News: Dioquino . Aaron Homer . July 26, 2022 . QCPD says Ateneo shooting a 'closed case' . . July 27, 2022 . July 27, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220727053353/https://mb.com.ph/2022/07/26/qcpd-files-raps-vs-ateneo-gunman/ . live .
- News: Reyes . Victor . July 26, 2022 . Murder charges filed vs Ateneo shooter . . July 27, 2022 . July 26, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220726224856/https://malaya.com.ph/news_news/murder-charges-filed-vs-ateneo-shooter/ . live .
- News: July 25, 2022 . WATCH: Ateneo shooting suspect tries to escape on foot, in car, on bus before being caught . GMA News . July 27, 2022 . July 27, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220727033320/https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/839359/ateneo-shooting-suspect-tries-to-escape-on-foot-in-car-on-bus-before-being-caught/story/ . live .
- News: July 24, 2022 . Thorough probe into deadly Ateneo shooting vowed . The Philippine Star . August 1, 2022 . August 1, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220801042023/https://www.philstar.com/nation/2022/07/24/2197692/mmda-shooting-incident-reported-ateneo-de-manila-university . live .
- Web site: July 28, 2022 . NCRPO: Doctor Suspect in Ateneo Shooting Rampage; Conveyed to QC Prosecutor for Inquest - RD Natividad . August 1, 2022 . PNP – NCR Police Office . .
- News: Reyes . Victor . July 25, 2022 . We have iron-clad case vs Ateneo shooter: PNP . Malaya . July 28, 2022 . July 28, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220728021627/https://malaya.com.ph/news_news/we-have-iron-clad-case-vs-ateneo-shooter-pnp/ . live .
- News: Peralta-Alonzo . Third Anne . July 24, 2022 . Ex-Lamitan mayor, 2 others killed in Ateneo shooting . SunStar . July 28, 2022 . July 28, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220728065622/https://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/1935833/manila/local-news/ex-lamitan-mayor-2-others-killed-in-ateneo-shooting . live .
- News: Madarang . Catalina Ricci S. . July 25, 2022 . Old petition to 'free' Ateneo shooter Chao Tiao Yumul circulates on social media anew . Interaksyon . July 27, 2022 . July 26, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220726185730/https://interaksyon.philstar.com/trends-spotlights/2022/07/25/223083/old-petition-to-free-ateneo-shooter-chao-tiao-yumul-circulates-on-social-media-anew/ . live .
- News: Domingo . Kat . July 24, 2022 . Suspect in killing of ex-mayor held grudge over closure of clinic: Furigay lawyer . ABS-CBN News . July 25, 2022 . July 24, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220724152225/https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/07/24/22/killing-had-roots-in-clinic-closure-ex-mayors-lawyer . live .
- News: Gomez . Herbie . Falcatan . Richard . July 25, 2022 . Ateneo shooter begrudged ex-mayor for shutting Lamitan clinic down . Rappler . July 28, 2022 . July 26, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220726232414/https://www.rappler.com/nation/mindanao/shooter-ateneo-de-manila-university-begrudged-ex-mayor-shutting-clinic-down-lamitan-basilan/ . live .
- News: Peralta-Malonzo . Third Anne . July 25, 2022 . Lawyer denies Furigay's involvement in drugs, corruption . SunStar . July 28, 2022 . July 28, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220728073135/https://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/1935919/manila/local-news/lawyer-denies-furigays-involvement-in-drugs-corruption . live .
- News: Sadongdong . Martin . July 27, 2022 . Ateneo gunman's weapon belonged to PH Army soldier – military . Manila Bulletin . July 29, 2022 . July 29, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220729074955/https://mb.com.ph/2022/07/27/ateneo-gunmans-weapon-owned-by-a-ph-army-soldier-military/ . live .
- News: Pinlac . Beatrice . July 27, 2022 . Ateneo shooter's gun traced to Army officer got lost in 2019 – AFP . Philippine Daily Inquirer . July 29, 2022 . July 28, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220728211947/https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1635810/ateneo-shooters-gun-traced-to-army-officer-got-lost-in-2019-afp . live .
- News: Patinio . Ferdinand . Bacelonia . Wilnard . July 25, 2022 . Educators, local execs, solons slam Ateneo shooting . Philippine News Agency . July 26, 2022 . July 25, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220725172735/https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1179697 . live .
- News: Flores . Helen . July 25, 2022 . Marcos calls for swift probe into Ateneo shooting . The Philippine Star . July 26, 2022 . July 26, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220726032911/https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2022/07/25/2197765/marcos-calls-swift-probe-ateneo-shooting . live .
- News: Cabato . Luisa . July 25, 2022 . PH Red Cross sends bags of blood for Ateneo shooting affected individual . Manila Bulletin . July 26, 2022 . July 25, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220725173144/https://mb.com.ph/2022/07/25/ph-red-cross-sends-bags-of-blood-for-ateneo-shooting-affected-individual/ . live .
- News: Medenilla . Samuel . Acosta . Rene . July 24, 2022 . Shooting kills 3, cancels law graduation rites at Ateneo; PBBM vows swift probe . BusinessMirror . July 26, 2022 . July 25, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220725171746/https://businessmirror.com.ph/2022/07/24/shooting-kills-3-cancels-law-graduation-rites-at-ateneo-pbbm-vows-swift-probe/ . live .
- News: July 24, 2022 . Ateneo reviews security protocols in wake of ex-Lamitan mayor's killing . Rappler . July 28, 2022 . July 28, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220728100347/https://www.rappler.com/nation/ateneo-de-manila-university-ched-statements-shooting-former-lamitan-mayor-rose-furigay/ . live .
- News: July 26, 2022 . Catholic schools in the Philippines condemn Ateneo shooting . GMA News . July 26, 2022 . July 25, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220725214514/https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/839377/catholic-schools-condemn-ateneo-shooting/story/ . live .
- News: Panaligan . Rey . July 24, 2022 . CJ Gesmundo 'safe' — SC . Manila Bulletin . July 28, 2022 . July 28, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220728063230/https://mb.com.ph/2022/07/24/cj-gesmundo-safe-sc/ . live .
- News: July 24, 2022 . Ex-Lamitan mayor, 2 others killed in shooting inside Ateneo de Manila . Rappler . July 28, 2022 . July 26, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220726232511/https://www.rappler.com/nation/shooting-incident-ateneo-de-manila-university-july-24-2022/ . live .
- News: Tupas . Emmanuel . August 3, 2022 . Yumol pleads not guilty to mischief, gun raps . The Philippine Star . August 3, 2022 . August 2, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220802160607/https://www.philstar.com/nation/2022/08/03/2199821/yumol-pleads-not-guilty-mischief-gun-raps . live .
- News: July 29, 2022 . Father of Ateneo shooting suspect shot dead in Basilan —police . GMA News . July 29, 2022 . July 28, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220728235815/https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/regions/839798/father-of-ateneo-shooting-suspect-shot-dead-in-basilan/story/ . live .
- News: Caliwan . Christopher Lloyd . July 29, 2022 . Avoid speculations on slay of Ateneo shooter's dad: PNP . Philippine News Agency . July 29, 2022 . July 29, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220729043127/https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1180101 . live .
- News: Mendoza . John Eric . July 29, 2022 . Furigay family 'shocked, saddened' by death of Ateneo gunman's father . Philippine Daily Inquirer . July 29, 2022 . July 29, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220729034116/https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1637145/furigay-family-shocked-saddened-by-death-of-ateneo-gunmans-father . live .
- News: Abubakar-Jocson . Liza . August 7, 2022 . Lamitan police correct spot report saying man with Yumol surname gunned down . Manila Bulletin . August 7, 2022 . August 7, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220807120753/https://mb.com.ph/2022/08/07/another-yumol-relative-gunned-down-in-lamitan/ . live .