The Quezon City Regional Trial Court on Thursday deferred the arraignment of Dr. Chao Tiao Yumol – the principal suspect in the fatal Ateneo de Manila University shooting incident last July 24 – after his lawyers claimed that he was showing signs of mental disorder.

Yumol’s defense lawyers asked the QCRTC to allow him to undergo an immediate psychiatric evaluation.

This developed as Prosecutor General Benedicto Malcontento said that the presiding judge has the discretion whether to allow Yumol undergo a psychiatric test.

” Procedural ‘yan. Discretion ng Judge’ yan. Pag ganyan, we dont object,” Malcontento said.

Yumol, 38, 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, died during the shooting rampage.

The fatal shooting spree transpired last July 24 at the Jesuit-run university’s Areté Building, where the College of Law School’s graduation was scheduled to take place.

Police identified the slain former mayor as Rosita Furigay. She was dead upon arrival at the World City Medical Center.

On the other hand, the other fatalities were identified as Victor George Capistrano, the executive assistant of Furigay; and Ateneo guard Jeneven Bandiola.

Bandiola was also declared dead on arrival at the Quezon Memorial Medical Center (QMMC), while Capistrano died on the spot.

Hanna, daughter of Furigay, was injured during the shooting incident.

AUTHOR PROFILE

Hector Lawas