Three people were killed in a shooting at a university in the Philippine capital on Sunday, Manila, in what appears to be a targeted assassination according to authorities.
The incident happened at the Ateneo de Manila University as law students and their families arrived for a graduation ceremony to be attended by the Chief Justice.
Political assassination?
Rose Furigay, a former mayor of a town in the restive southern province of Basilan whose daughter was among the graduates, was killed, said Joy Belmonte, mayor of the town where the shooting took place. Rose Furigay’s assistant and a college security guard also died. The suspected shooter has been taken into custody. Rose Furigay’s daughter was injured and is in a ” stable state “ in the hospital, according to the police.
“We are very distraught and bereaved by this event”Joy Belmonte told AFP.
School and college shootings are rare in the Phillippines, despite lax gun rules. But targeted assassinations of politicians are quite common, especially during elections.
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