Rama denies involvement in hit-and-run that killed young player

Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama | Screengrab from Cebu City News and Information

CEBU CITY, Philippines – Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama denies any involvement in the hit-and-run case that killed a young basketball player.

In a press conference on Tuesday, February 6, at Cebu City Hall, Rama denied any involvement in the case and even warned those who “maliciously” linked him to the accident that he would go after them.

“But definitely, I’m taking full focus on this matter. That whoever also maliciously inferred my name. He better… [run]… [as not] that anyone can just make inference… and that’s very bad” he said.

It can be recalled that Jeslar Uriel Larumbe, a 24-year-old multi-awarded basketball player, died in a hit-and-run accident on Sunday, February 4, near the Redemptorist Church in Cebu City.

READ: Jeslar Uriel Larumbe: Hit-and-run victim was an MVP on and off the court

Rama also revealed that the City Government will extend whatever support the bereaved family needs.

“I also asked my PA to secure whatever assistance that the City government has been granting,” he said.

Moreover, he also mentioned that the police, headed by Colonel Ireneo B. Dalogdog, City Director of the Cebu City Police Office (CCPO), are already in the process of putting all the evidence together to be able to identify and arrest the suspect.

“I talked with Colonel Dalogdog this morning and he is continuously putting all these videos, including the video that I saw,” Rama said.

READ: LTO-7 to work closely with authorities to probe for hit-and-run victim’s death

Larumbe was killed when he was allegedly hit by a speeding gray SUV with blinkers last Sunday.

Meanwhile, when asked about the Larumbe family’s act of creating a separate investigation apart from that of the police, he said that “peace and order is everybody’s business”.

“If we don’t rely on the community… this is part of the pillar of the justice system,” Rama added.

With this, Rama directed the Cebu city administrator to consider installing more CCTV within the areas of Cebu City as a means to preserve the peace and order in the city.

“I’ve been telling them. Bring as many as cover [CCTV] bahala nag how much. Ang pinaka importante… peace and order. We have to invest,” Rama said.

Moreover, Rama is hoping that as early as this day, all the evidence regarding the incident will be put together already saying the most important thing right now is to “bring justice” for Larumbe.

READ: Rama: ‘Do not stop looking for person behind ‘hit-and-run’ incident’

READ: Police file criminal rap vs SUV driver for fatally hitting two men in Mandaluyong