The scheduled arraignment of Dr. Chao Tiao Yumol at the Quezon City Regional Trial Court (QCRTC) Branch 98 yesterday was postponed after his lawyers claimed their client showed signs of tell-tale mental disorder.
Yumol, 38, is the principal suspect in the fatal Ateneo de Manila University shooting incident last 24 July.
Yumol’s lawyers asked the QCRTC to allow the respondent to undergo an immediate mental status examination.
Prosecutor General Benedicto Malcontento said it is up to the presiding judge of the QCRTC whether to allow the Ateneo gunman to undergo psychiatric evaluation.
”That is procedural. It is the judge’s discretion. If that is the case, we don’t object,” he said.
Malcontento made the statement when his comment was sought about the deferment of Yumol’s arraignment after his lawyers claimed that he was showing signs of mental deterioration.
The suspect, who is now under police custody, was supposed to be arraigned on charges of three counts of murder, frustrated murder, and car theft.
Three persons, including the former mayor of Lamitan City, Rosita Furigay died in the rampage.
The fatal shooting transpired last 24 July at the Jesuit-run university’s Areté Building, where the College of Law School’s graduation was scheduled to take place.
The other fatalities were identified as Victor George Capistrano, the executive assistant of Furigay; and Ateneo guard Jeneven Bandiala.
Bandiala was also declared dead on arrival at the Quezon Memorial Medical Center, while Capistrano died on the spot.
The daughter of the former mayor, Hanna was injured during the shooting incident.
Earlier, the Quezon City Police District (QCPD) said it has a solid case against Yumol. The suspect, according to QCPD Director Brig. Gen. Remus Medina admitted shooting the victims.
“We have a strong case because we have witnesses, we recovered the firearm used, and he himself did not deny involvement in the incident,” Medina said.
Furigay was shot while she was about to attend the graduation of her daughter, Hanna, who took up law at the university.