Basilan Rep. Mujiv Hataman. (Photo from Hataman’s office)
MANILA, Philippines — Basilan Representative Mujiv Hataman cried foul over the “senseless killing” of Rolando Yumol, father of Ateneo shooting suspect Dr. Chao Tiao Yumol, on Friday morning.
The elder Yumol was gunned down by two still-unidentified assailants outside their home in Lamitan City, Basilan.
READ: Father of Ateneo shooting suspect shot dead in Basilan
“We condemn the senseless killing of Rolando Yumol, father of Ateneo shooting suspect Chao Tiao Yumol,” Hataman said in a statement. “Nais ko sanang diinan: Kailan man at sa kahit anong dahilan, walang saysay ang pagkitil ng buhay. Anumang uri ng karahasan ay walang lugar sa ating lipunan kung nais nating umunlad at kumawala mula sa imahe ng kaguluhan sa ating lalawigan.”
(We condemn the senseless killing of Rolando Yumol, father of Ateneo shooting suspect Chao Tiao Yumol. I want to stress that no reason will ever be enough to justify the killing of a person. If we want our society to progress, there should be no place for violence. We should break free from the image of chaos attached to our province.)
The Moro leader also extended his sympathies for Yumol’s bereaved family as he joined the chorus of calls for justice in this case.
“Nakikiramay kami sa pamilya ni Rolando Yumol at nananawagan kami sa mga otoridad na imbestigahan at papanagutin ang mga responsable sa pagpatay na ito,” he said.
(I want to extend our condolences to Rolando Yumol’s family. We also plead for authorities to investigate and hold the people behind the killing responsible.)
Don’t normalize culture of killings, violence
Hataman warned the public against spreading groundless speculations about the recent killings, especially on social media. He also urged the public to oppose normalizing violence and killings in society, which he said harms peace and development in the country.
“Huwag nating husgahan, silaban o gatungan ang mga nag-aalab na damdamin ng bawat pamilyang nagdadalamhati sa mga nangyari. Nagluluksa pa ang lahat. Ang mga haka-haka o akusasyong walang basehan ay hindi makakatulong, at maaaring maging mitsa pa ng karagdagang karahasan,” the lawmaker said.
(Let us not judge or add fuel to the emotions of families involved in the incident. They are still mourning. Baseless speculations and accusations will not help and may only further encourage violence.)
READ: PNP: ‘Premature’ to link Ateneo shooting with killing of gunman’s father
He then added: “Huwag nating hayaang maging normal ang pagkitil ng buhay sa ating kultura, lalo na kapag nadadamay ang mga inosenteng mamamayan. It is not who we are as Basileños, as Filipinos and as human beings.”
(Let us not normalize a culture of violence and killings, especially if it involves innocent people. This is not who we are as Basileños, Filipinos, and human beings.)
Hataman was among the Bangsamoro leaders who mourned the death of former Lamitan City Mayor Rosita Furigay after she was killed during the younger Yumol’s shooting spree inside Ateneo de Manila University last Sunday.
Furigay’s aide Victor Capistrano and Ateneo security guard Jeneven Bandiala were also shot dead in the incident.
Meanwhile, Hannah Rose Marian Furigay — the slain former mayor’s daughter — was wounded by a bullet fired by the suspect and is currently being treated in a hospital.