FILE PHOTO Suspect in the Ateneo shooting incident Chao Tiao Yumol is presented to media in Camp Karingal in Quezon City. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines — The lawyer of slain former Lamitan City Mayor Rose Furigay on Thursday said they were “surprised” by the “not guilty” plea entered by Chao Tiao Yumol with regards the illegal gun possession and malicious mischief charges pressed against him in connection with the Ateneo shooting last July 24.
Yumol on Wednesday pleaded “not guilty” to charges of illegal possession of firearms and malicious mischief filed before the Quezon City Metropolitan Trial Court Branch 133.
READ: Doc in Ateneo shooting pleads ‘not guilty’ to illegal gun possession, malicious mischief
According to Atty. Quirino Esguerra, counsel to the Furigay family, Yumol made an admission of carrying out the killing, aside from the fact that he was caught in the act of possession of several firearms allegedly used for the crime.
“In his admission on the national television that he did that on account of allegations that my client is involved in drugs, we are surprised why he is still putting up a defense of denial and or plead of not guilty, considering that he was caught red handed in possession (of a) caliber 45 pistol with suppressor and/or silencer and together with that 9mm pistol, which is registered in his name,” Esguerra said over ABS-CBN News Channel.
Aside from the illegal possession of firearms and malicious mischief cases, Yumol is also facing three counts of murder for the death of Furigay, her aide Victor Capistrano, and Ateneo de Manila University security guard Jeneven Bandiala.
One count of frustrated murder was also filed in court against Yumol as Furigay’s daughter, Hannah Rose Marian, was also injured in the incident last July 24 at the Ateneo de Manila University in Quezon City. The late mayor’s daughter was among the graduating students.
The arraignment of the other four charges is scheduled this Thursday morning, according to Esguerra.
The lawyer also said they also expect Yumol to plead not guilty on his murder charges.
“We expect him to plead not guilty as well considering his plea yesterday morning,” the lawyer said of Yumul’s murder charges.
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