Yumol pleads not guilty to mischief, gun raps

MANILA, Philippines — Dr. Chao Tiao Yumol, the man accused of killing three people during a shooting incident at the Ateneo de Manila University, pleaded not guilty to charges of malicious mischief and illegal possession of a firearm yesterday.

Yumol entered his plea during his arraignment via video conference at the Quezon City Metropolitan Trial Court Branch 133.

Also present virtually were Johnny Palma, the driver of a Honda Civic subcompact car that Yumol hijacked as he attempted to escape, and members of the Quezon City Police District (QCPD) who arrested him.

The court set the pre-trial of Yumol’s cases on Sept. 5.

Yumol is set to undergo arraignment at the Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 98 on Thursday on charges of three counts of murder, frustrated murder and car theft.

He shot to death former Lamitan, Basilan mayor Rosita Furigay; her executive assistant Victor Capistrano and Ateneo campus security guard Jeneven Bandiala. Furigay’s daughter, Hannah Rose Marian, was wounded in the incident.

The lawyer of the Furigay family, Quirino Esguerra, said they have several witnesses lined up against Yumol.

Among them is Furigay’s daughter, who saw how Yumol shot them.

Esguerra said a security escort of Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo who engaged Yumol in a shootout is also a possible witness.

Ateneo faculty and students have also executed judicial affidavits, Esguerra said.