A QUEZON City court reset to next month yesterday’s scheduled arraignment of Dr. Chao Tiao Yumol, the suspect in the recent killing of former Lamitan City, Basilan mayor Rosita Furigay and two others, pending the examination of his mental condition.
“They are putting up a defense of insanity,” said Atty. Quirino Esguerra, counsel of the Furigay family, referring to the members of the defense panel.
Esguerra said the Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 98, reset to Sept. 16 the arraignment of Yumol for murder, frustrated murder, and carnapping on the motion of Yumol’s lawyer, Karen Gangan.
“The arraignment was deferred to Sept. 16 because his (Yumol) lawyer, Karen Gangan, manifested (to the court) that the accused, Dr. Chao Yumol, exhibited symptoms of having an unsound mind,” Esguerra said.
Esguerra said the defense panel cited the need to have the mental health of Yumol checked by medical experts prior to his arraignment.
“This (motion) was granted by the court,” said Esguerra, adding the Furigay family expressed dismay that the defense is using insanity as a defense.
“However, we have to follow the legal process. We consider that (insanity) as a matter of defense,” said Esguerra.
Yumol shot dead Furigay, her executive assistant, Victor Capistrano, and security guard Jenevel Bandiala last June 24 inside the Ateneo de Manila University campus in Quezon City.
Furigay was about to attend the graduation of her daughter, Hannah, when the attack occurred. Hannah was injured and is still recuperating from her injuries.
Yumol, who is in detention at the Quezon City Jail, was arrested after fleeing the campus. Police said personal grudge led Yumol to shoot Furigay.
Yumol is also facing charges of malicious mischief and illegal possession of firearms before the Quezon City Metropolitan Trial Court Branch 133. He pleaded not guilty to the charges last Tuesday.
“We were surprised today that they (defense panel) wouldn’t like him to be arraigned. We will wait for the result of the examination of the medical experts. That will come before the arraignment on Sept. 16,” said Esguerra.
“He will be thoroughly examined because (of) their allegation, the allegation of his counsel was that he exhibited symptoms of being insane,” said Esguerra.
Esguerra said the lawyer of Yumol did not say what were the symptoms exhibited by the accused “but under the rules on speedy trial, the court allowed it (examination) because that is his right, he should be examined.”
