Osmeña warns all motorists from getting into road rage

Mayor Tomas Osmeña warned all motorists not to get involved in a road rage in Cebu City, else he will be going after them by all means.

This, as he offered a P10,000 reward from his personal money to anyone who could give information about the whereabouts of a certain Edward Erasmo.

Erasmo was caught smashing the window of a taxi cab driven by Christopher Lador after the latter overtook his vehicle along Pope John Paul II Avenue in Barangay Kasambagan last week.

“I want to set the example. I don't like to see people like this. They are not welcome here in Cebu City. If you're going to behave like that, I'll spend more than P10,000. It's a warning to everybody. Don't think you can do it to Cebu City,” he said.

Osmeña said he has been getting tips from anyone about the information of Erasmo, whom he said has a “questionable background.”

The mayor said he forwarded all information to the police.

There was one tipster who said that Erasmo went to Manila immediately after the incident last week.

“I've gotten several tips. He (Erasmo) used to be a call center (employee). His mother is there. His sister and relatives (are) working in various call centers,” Osmeña said.

The Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) is still hunting Erasmo, since the suspect's wife claimed she does not know his whereabouts.

Police Superintendent Ryan Devaras, chief of the City Investigation and Detection Management Branch, said that the operation will continue until the taxi driver will file the charges of grave threats, physical injuries and malicious mischief.

“Actually mo-file na og case ang taxi dirver. Once ma-file-an na nato og case, mahunong na nato ang hot pursuit operations,” Devaras said.

He also expressed doubts on the claims of the wife that she no longer has contact with her husband.

“Ang misis naay mga alibis. Pero of course, kahibaw siya asa. Pero ang suspect nato kato rang laki,” Devaras said.

Devaras said that the P10,000 cash reward Osmeña has provided will help expedite the search.

He added that having the suspect to come forward to police will give him the chance to air out his side.

“Makatabang na og masulti pud siya sa iyang side,” Devaras said.

Devaras reminded all motorists, to keep their cool during heavy traffic and be mindful of the consequences of their actions, as it will only lead to bigger problems.

“Kita motorista man pud ta, makaatubang man gyud ta og motorist nga reckless pud kaayo, stay calm,” Devaras said.