Court resets arraignment of Ateneo shooter anew

MANILA, Philippines — For the second time, a Quezon City court deferred yesterday the arraignment of Chao Tiao Yumol, who is facing charges of three counts of murder, frustrated murder and car theft for his shooting rampage at the Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU).

The Quezon City Court Regional Trial Court Branch 98 reset the proceedings as the National Center for Mental Health (NCMH) has not yet submitted a report on its findings on Yumol’s mental condition.

The court reset the arraignment to Nov. 11.

Yumol, who is under the custody of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP), was supposed to attend the proceedings via video conferencing.

Yumol’s lawyer previously told the court that he needed to be examined by doctors as he is exhibiting symptoms of insanity.

The physician shot dead former mayor Rosita Furigay of Lamitan City, Basilan, Furigay’s executive assistant Victor Capistrano and ADMU security guard Jeneven Bandiala last July 24.

Yumol has been examined twice. The counsel for the Furigay family, Quirnio Esguerra, said the next schedule of medical examination on the accused is on Oct. 4.

Furigay was supposed to attend the graduation of her daughter, Hannah, at the ADMU Law school when Yumol went berserk.