The Philippine National Police (PNP) has strengthened security measures in Lamitan City, Basilan amid heightening tension following the slaying of the father of a suspected shooter during the Ateneo de Manila University graduation ceremonies last Sunday (July 24).
Acting PNP chief Lt. Gen. Vicente Danao Jr. said more policemen were dispatched to man checkpoints set up around Lamitan.
“We adhere to the mandate of Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos and to prevent the possible escape of the gunmen,” Danao said in a statement.
He also sought the public’s cooperation in informing law enforcers of any suspicious-looking persons in their community, but to refrain from making assumptions.
“Let the probe take its course. We need concrete proof to establish the motive of the crime,” Danao said.
Abalos on Friday directed the PNP to tighten security in Lamitan City after Rolando Yumol, 69, a retired policeman, was gunned down in front of his house last Friday.
Yumol’s son, Dr. Chao-Tiao Yumol, is currently detained in Camp Karingal, Quezon City, while charges of multiple murder were being prepared against him for the killing of former Lamitan Mayor Rose Furigay; her executive assistant Victor Capistrano; and campus security guard Jeneven Bandiala inside the Ateneo compound along Katipunan Ave. in Quezon City.
“I call on the public to cooperate with police investigators. If anyone has any information that may help the PNP solve the case, I ask you to please come forward,” Abalos said in a statement.
The elder Yumol was reportedly four times in the back outside his residence Barangay Maganda, Lamitan City. Probers recovered three empty shells of 45 caliber pistol from the scene.
With no arrests made as of press time, “the case is still under investigation, we are still collecting information,” said Lamitan police chief Lt. Col. Tadzhabel Managola.
Furigay’s daughter Hannah, who was supposed to graduate on Sunday, was also wounded in the shooting incident and was still recuperating at a hospital.
“So far, it is speculative to assume its direct relation to the shooting incident that happened last Sunday (July 24) at the Ateneo de Manila University,” said PNP spokesman Brig. Gen. Roderick Augustus Alba.
PNP director for operations Police Maj. Gen. Valeriano de Leon said all angles should be considered “to ensure that we will be running after the right people responsible for this attack.”
“That is why we have to be very careful in the conduct of the investigation in this case,” he said.
Basilan Rep. Mujiv Hataman condemned the killing of Rolando Yumol, calling it senseless.
“I want to stress this: Killing is always senseless under any circumstances. There is no place for violence in a society that aims for progress and peace,” Hataman said in statement.
“It is our hope that this latest act of violence would not progress into a series of violent actions. Killing should never be normalized in our culture, especially since these could harm innocent people,” he added.
Basilan residents, Hataman said, have the responsibility to protect the peace they have long worked for.
“Let us not allow the mistake of others to bury us in that cycle of violence. We are still recovering from the pandemic which severely affected our economy and livelihood. We need to ensure peace and order in our province,” the solon said.
Hataman warned the public against passing judgment on people without concrete evidence.
“Let us not judge and fan the flame of emotions of the grieving families. Baseless speculations won’t help and could trigger another violence,” he said.
“We express our condolences to the family of Rolando Yumol and call on authorities to probe and hold the perpetrators accountable,” Hataman added.
Chao Tiao Yumol was described as a disgruntled doctor who had a years-long grudge against the Furigays, a lawyer for the family said.
“This all started when he was operating an infirmary clinic,” lawyer Quirino Esguerra said. “The Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) issued a cease and desist order against Yumol. Because Lamitan City is included in BARMM, it was [then] Mayor Rose Furigay who implemented it.”
“When she implemented that order from BARMM, that’s when Dr. Chao-Tiao Yumol got angry,” Esguerra said.
The lawyer added that as early as 2018, Yumol has been posting baseless accusations against Furigay, prompting the politician to file at least 70 cyber libel cases against the doctor.