THE legal counsel of slain former Lamitan City mayor Rose Furigay has denied the claim of assassin, Dr. Chao-Tiao Tumol, that she and her family were involved in illegal drug operations and corruption activities.
Lawyer Quirino Esguerra Jr. said there is no truth in the statements made by Yumol.
“His story is untrue,” he said.
Yumol gunned down Furigay inside the Ateneo de Manila University in Katipunan, Quezon City on Sunday afternoon, July 24, 2022. Furigay was in the university to attend her daughter’s law school graduation.
Two more individuals, including Furigay’s aide and a university employee, were killed in the incident.
Hannah, Furigay’s daughter, was wounded.
Yumol, who was arrested immediately after the incident, admitted perpetrating the crime, saying he did it for the sake of his fellow residents of Lamitan who are denied privileges as a Filipino citizen due to the corrupt practices of Furigay and her family.
He said he has already collected several “evidences” to prove that Furigay and her family were involved in the illegal drug trade.
Esguerra said the conflict between Yumol and Furigay started in 2018 when the Lamitan City Government, under the leadership of the latter, implemented a cease and desist order issued by the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao government against the suspect’s infirmary clinic.
He said Yumol’s clinic was located just across the street from the Lamitan City Hall.
After his clinic was ordered closed, Yumol started posting malicious insinuations against Furigay and other City Government officials and employees that led to the filing of more than 70 cyber libel charges against him.
Yumol earlier told the police that he cannot practice his profession due to the charges filed against him by Furigay.
In a statement, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. said he was shocked and saddened by the incident.
He ordered the law enforcement agencies to thoroughly and swiftly investigate the event and bring all involved to justice.
He expressed sympathy to the bereaved families of the victims. (SunStar Philippines)