‘No special treatment for Ateneo shooter’

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police (PNP) has assured the public that no special treatment is being accorded to Chao-Tiao Yumol, the doctor who shot dead three persons at the Ateneo de Manila University on Sunday.

PNP officer-in-charge Lt. Gen. Vicente Danao Jr. made the commitment after criminal charges were filed against Yumol on Tuesday.

“We assure the public that the suspect is afforded his constitutional rights, but no special favors will be granted to him,” Danao said.

Yumol is being held at the Quezon City Police District (QCPD) headquarters at Camp Karingal.

He was charged with three counts of murder and frustrated murder in relation to Republic Act 10591 or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act as well as violation of RA 10883 or the anti-car theft law and malicious mischief.

Yumol shot dead former mayor Rosita Furigay of Lamitan, Basilan, her aide Victor Capistrano and Ateneo security guard Jeneven Bandiala.

Furigay’s daughter Hannah Rose Marian, 25, and nurse Julia Manabat, 54, were wounded in the shooting.

Yumol had targeted Furigay, whom he accused of being a drug dealer in Basilan, along with her husband Lamitan Mayor Roderick Furigay.

With the testimonies of witnesses and other pieces of evidence obtained by investigators, Danao believes that they have an airtight case against Yumol to ensure his conviction.

“All these are leading to the suspect we have under custody,” he said.

With the filing of charges against Yumol, QCPD director Brig. Gen. Remus Medina considered the case closed.

Medina said they are waiting for the decision of the Quezon City prosecutor’s office on whether to elevate the complaints to court for trial.

He said the .45-caliber handgun used by Yumol during the shooting is registered to 1Lt. Jeremy Aquino, an Army officer assigned in Mindanao.

Aquino claimed that he lost the firearm in November 2019 in Patikul, Sulu.

Another firearm, a 9mm pistol, is registered under Yumol’s name.

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