Basketball player in Cebu killed in hit-and-run incident

A basketball player in Cebu identified as Jeslar Uriel Larumbe, 23 years old, was hit by an alleged speeding sports utility vehicle, equipped reportedly with blinkers, that ran away immediately. The incident happened near the Redemptorist church in Barangay Kamputhaw, Cebu City at about 7 a.m. on February 4, 2024. 

Jeslar was onboard his motorcycle when the incident happened.

Bernadette Larumbe, the mother, is heartbroken at the incident as the perpetrator did not bother to check on his son. A gesture of concern right there and then could have made a difference to the condition of her son, she said.

By April, Jeslar would have taken the licensure examination for Civil Engineering. She said her son vowed to pass the exam as his birthday gift to his mom. 

Bernadette said her son asked permission to be with his friends right after his class at the review center. But in the morning when she found out Jeslar is not home yet for the scheduled Family Day at Don Bosco Technical College, she called his number. The phone would ring but Jeslar did not take the call.

As there was a scheduled Holy Mass in school for the said family day, Bernadette proceeded to attend the activity. From there, she again called Jeslar.

When she called the number by 9 a.m. on February 4, 2024, a nurse accepted the call and informed her that Jeslar is at the Cebu City Medical Center. She rushed to the hospital and learned of the incident that killed her son.

“Three in the morning, Sunday, nikaon siya after niya og review, kay mag-24 hours review, nikaon siya 3 a.m. Niana siya ‘Mommy, what time ang family day?’ Ingon ko ang Family Day is 9 a.m…mao nay last (conversation) 3 a.m.,” Bernadette said in an interview.

Jeslar is a two-time Most Valuable Player of the "Don Bosco Greywolves."

PROBE THROUGH CCTV FOOTAGE

Police are gathering CCTV footage from establishments along the area to identify the perpetrator. 

Police Colonel Ireneo Dalogdog, Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) director, said that he has written the management of a hotel operating in the area offering a vantage view of the incident, as well as the Cebu Redemptorist Church.

"Among panawagan sa maong tag-iya sa sakyanan nga mo-surrender na. Ma-identify ra gihapon (through CCTV footage)," Dalogdog said.

Police Lieutenant Colonel Janette Rafter, deputy director for operations of the CCPO, said they have already gathered information subject to validation.

"Kanang giagian diha, duha lang ka access going to that area, either way going to that area duha lang ang entrance; sa crossing sa traffic light sa may Jollibee or the one gikan sa Ayala nga gikan sa gasolinahan atbang sa usa ka simbahan. We are trying to fasttrack the gathering of CCTV footage in this area. Nanawagan mi sa cooperation sa mga establishments along this area," Lt. Col. Rafter stated. 

'JUSTICE WILL PREVAIIL'

Bernadette called on the driver of the SUV to surrender. 

"Kinsa tong midutdot gyud ni Uriel, kinsa tong midikit niya, surrender na. Kay I know justice will prevail. Dili gyud pwede ingon ana-on si Uriel," Bernadette expressed.

Her husband working aboard a ship is in Argentina, as of this writing. She said she has already told her husband of the incident.

Jeslar Uriel is her eldest child. She has three children, all boys. —GMA Regional TV

via Decemay Padilla/DYSS Super Radyo GMA & GMA Regional TV Balitang Bisdak