CEBU City Mayor Mike Rama reiterated Wednesday, February 7, 2024, that he will file a case against those who claimed he was involved in the hit-and-run incident that killed 23-year-old basketball player Jeslar Larumbe.
The hit-and-run incident happened on Sunday along Queens Road near Redemptorist Church in Cebu City. Witnesses said the sports utility vehicle (SUV), with blinkers and siren attached to it, hit Larumbe but the driver did not stop and just drove away, toward Juana Osmeña St.
Larumbe was driving his motorcycle when the incident happened.
A Facebook page, El Filibusterismo, then claimed on social media that the SUV was part of Rama’s convoy.
“Pagkawalay batasan aning Mayor Mike Rama, gibyaan ra ang naligsan sa convoy,” El Filibusterismo’s post reads.
In an interview with SunStar Cebu on Wednesday, Rama said he has discussed the matter with a law firm and his legal counsel.
"It's already a matter I discussed with a law firm and of course with my lawyers," said Rama.
He said this will serve as a lesson and warning to the public that they should be careful in making accusations.
He said even with the assumptions that a VIP convoy was involved, it should not serve as basis for people to make accusations against him.
He said accusations against him are an act of "murder."
Rama denied on Monday, February 5, involvement in Larumbe’s death, saying he was in Bohol on Sunday.
“Wa gani koy kalibutan. Tua ko sa Bohol (I didn’t know anything. I was in Bohol),” he said.
On Tuesday, February 6, he urged authorities to bring justice to the family of Larumbe.
Some motorists who witnessed the incident on Sunday said that the SUV that hit Larumbe was using a car siren.
A witness said the SUV also had a “for official use only” mark on it.
Police have examined closed circuit television (CCTV) footages that may have captured the incident and have coordinated with the management of Redemptorist Church and some establishments to identify the locations where Larumbe’s motorcycle and the SUV had passed.
The Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) clarified on Wednesday, February 7, however, that the SUV, which was reportedly equipped with sirens and blinkers, was driven by a civilian and was not part of any VIP convoy.
Rama said he is taking full hands on the matter to ensure that justice is served and that there should be no cover-up.
He added that he wants the matter to be resolved swiftly and within the bounds of the law.
"I want justice as quick as possible and I wish no cover-up," he said.
As of Wednesday, the SUV that was reportedly involved in the incident was already under the custody of the CCPO, but the driver, believed to be a businessman, remained at large. (RJM/LMY)