EDITORIAL — VIP or not

A man who was out driving his motorcycle was found dead last Sunday in Barangay Kamputhaw, Cebu City.

While it has been determined that the accident that killed Jeslar Uriel Larumbe, 23, a Civil Engineering graduate of the Cebu Institute of Technology-University, was caused by collision with another vehicle, what angered the public was that witnesses said the other vehicle appeared to have been part of a VIP convoy, with blinkers, attitude, and all.

Until now, police aren’t really sure who hit Larumbe and are calling for the driver to surrender.

“Atong panawagan sa tag-iya sa sakyanan kung pwede mo-surrender na kay mailhan lang gihapon namo ug ma-identify lang namo og kinsa ang maong tag-iya sa maong sakyanan tungod kay naa may tay mga CCTV nga nakamontar didto,” said Cebu City Police Office director, Police Colonel Ireneo Dalogdog.

This case needs to be investigated and solved quickly, because if it isn’t and if indeed it was caused by a VIP convoy vehicle, it will embolden those who want their own VIP “convoys”.

There is no shortage of people who think of themselves as VIP’s even if they aren’t. These are people who think traffic should stop for them and let them through.

Even if one is a VIP, the law should still apply and they still cannot just do as they please. People who think they can hide behind power or influence like tinted windows should be taught that some windows can be smashed in.

But then again it’s not just about targeting VIP’s or those who feel like them. Ordinary motorists and reckless drivers who think they can just hit others and not stop to take account for their actions should be made to think otherwise.

The road has rules that have to be followed, whether one is a VIP or not, ignoring them can result in someone getting hurt or hurting and even killing others.

We wish for a speedy resolution to this case, for the sake of Larumbe as well as other motorists.