Ateneo shooting will not affect security for Marcos’ first SONA —PNP

The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Monday assured that the fatal shooting incident in Ateneo de Manila University on Sunday would not affect the security measures for the first State of the Nation Address (SONA) of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.

PNP Director for Operations Police Major General Valeriano de Leon said investigation is ongoing to determine how the suspect, identified as Dr. Chao-Tiao Yumol, 38, was able to sneak a firearm inside the area.

"We assure the public that this will not affect the security measures that we planned and are now being implemented for the SONA of our President Bongbong Marcos," he said in a statement.

After the shooting, PNP Officer-in-Charge Police Lieutenant General Vicente Danao Jr. instructed Quezon City Police District chief Police Brigadier General Remus Medina to further intensify the security measures in Quezon City, De Leon said.

Police will enforce stricter checkpoints and implementation of the gun ban in Metro Manila, which started on July 22 and will end July 27.

In a separate interview, Press Secretary Trixie Cruz-Angeles said that while she is not aware of the additional security, she assured the public that the police are on alert following the incident.

"Of course, they inform us that the perpetrator has been placed into custody and the investigation is ongoing," Cruz-Angeles said.

"They are put on notice about the possibility of these things," she added.

On Sunday, former mayor of Lamitan, Basilan mayor Rose Furigay, her aide Victor Capistrano, and university security guard Jeneven Bandiala were killed at the shooting incident in front of the Areté building inside the campus.

Ateneo Law School's graduation was scheduled to take place in the area when the shooting happened.

Furigay's daughter Hannah, a graduating law student, was wounded and brought to the hospital.

Medina said Yumol is in custody and that the shooting was an “isolated” incident. According to Medina, the victims had earlier filed 76 cyber libel cases against Yumol.

"We condemn this gun attack. We assure the public that this will be investigated and justice will be served," De Leon said. — with Anna Felicia Bajo/KG/RSJ, GMA News