Moro leaders mourn death of ex-Lamitan mayor

Former Mayor Rose Furigay of Lamitan, Basilan (Photo from Facebook)

ILIGAN CITY—Bangsamoro leaders are mourning the death of former Lamitan City Mayor Rosita Furigay in a shooting spree Sunday inside the Ateneo de Manila University campus.

In separate statements, Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) interim Chief Minister Ahod “Al Haj Murad” Ebrahim and Basilan Representative Mujiv Hataman condemned the attack on Furigay.

“Lamitan City, we grieve with you during these tragic times… This act of violence has no space in our country and our region,” Ebrahim said.

“The former local chief executive will be remembered for leading Lamitan City to a more promising future—-inspiring nearby towns and the whole BARMM. During her time, Lamitan City became a hub of unbelievable progress, a home of intercultural understanding, and a beacon of hope in the region,” Ebrahim added.

He vowed that the regional government “will be closely working with the proper authorities to assure that justice is served.”

Hataman said he was saddened to note that what could have been a joyous occasion for the Furigay family—-the graduation of her daughter from the Ateneo Law School—-turned into mourning “because of the senseless violence.”

“I urge the authorities to prosecute the perpetrator of this dastardly crime to the full extent of the law,” Hataman said.

Hataman said Furigay’s “progressive leadership” turned out good for Lamitan when she was mayor for nine years beginning in 2013.

Hataman vowed to join the Furigay family “in the call for justice.”

Apart from Furigay, the shooting perpetrated by Dr. Chao-Tiao Yumol also killed her aide and a guard of the university and wounded her daughter.

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