MANILA, Philippines — Secretary Carlito Galvez, the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity, has joined voices mourning the passing of former Lamitan, Basilan mayor Rose Furigay, among the casualties in the tragic Ateneo shooting over the weekend.
The attack happened before the graduation of the Ateneo Law School in the university's Katipunan Avenue campus, claiming the lives of Furigay's staff member and a security guard and injuring three more, including Furigay's daughter who was supposed to graduate that day.
In a statement, Galvez condemned "in the strongest terms" the murder of the former mayor as he recalled Furigay's track record in development efforts in Lamitan City.
"She will always be remembered...the peace process has lost a strong ally especially in the island province of Basilan. Mayor Rose is known for her integrity and credibility on good governance, that is why it is impossible to believe in these allegations and innuendos thrown against the late mayor and her family," Galvez said.
READ: Governors, mayors condemn Furigay shooting at Ateneo
"I have known the former mayor for more than a decade...I have witnessed how the former mayor spearheaded change [and] her initiatives fostered interfaith dialogue, respect and mutual understanding among the tri-people in the city."
To recall, the shooter, one Chao Tiao Yumul surrendered to police over 26 counts of cyber libel in 2019 over Facebook posts he wrote maligning the mayor and her family. The Furigays were said to be behind the libel complaints after a long history of conflict between the two parties.
Galvez said that Furigay was "instrumental" in implementing programs and projects that "transformed Lamitan from a once conflict-ridden area, into a showcase of economic progress and development."
"I am deeply saddened and angered by this brazen act of violence...our thoughts and prayers are with the victims' familiers. We also pray for the fast recovery of the former mayor's daughter," Galvez also said.
"The culture of violence has once again reared its ugly head. We must not allow such incidents to happen. Violence has no place in a peaceful and democratic society, as we move towards our collective goal of achieving a just and lasting peace throughout the country."
READ: Staff, students, guests suffer from trauma after graduation violence — Ateneo
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