Ex-Philippine mayor killed at graduation

Three people were killed yesterday at a university in the Philippine capital region in a targeted assassination.

The incident was at Ateneo de Manila University in Quezon City as law students and their families arrived for a graduation ceremony to be attended by the Supreme Court chief justice.

Rose Furigay, a former mayor of Lamitan town in restive Basilan province and whose daughter was among the graduates, was killed.

Her daughter was wounded while Furigay's executive assistant and a university security guard were also killed.

The gunman, armed with two pistols, was captured near the gate of the university, but the graduation rites at the law school were canceled.

Furigay, whose family dominates politics in Lamitan City, served three terms as mayor and was prevented by the constitution from seeking re-election on May 9. She was succeeded by her husband.

Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo, who was to speak at the ceremony, was en route to the university when the attack came and turned back.

School and university shootings are rare in the Philippines, though targeted killings are common.