Slain town mayor laid to rest in Cagayan
TUGUEGARAO CITY—Slain Mayor Joel Ruma of Rizal town in Cagayan province was laid to rest at his town’s public cemetery on Thursday.
Before his interment, a Mass was held at the St. Raymond of Peñafort Parish Church where his relatives, friends, supporters, and local government officials gathered to pay their respects to the late leader who was a public servant for more than 15 years.
In her eulogy, Vice Mayor Brenda Ruma, the slain mayor’s wife, said that “it is important to take to heart the good deeds of (her late husband) while he served as the father of the town of Rizal.”
“Let us not forget the good works that (the mayor) started and did for us here in the town of Rizal. We and his family have welcomed you here in Malaweg (indigenous people’s community) as one of his priorities besides us. As we escort (the mayor) to his final destination, I want you to keep his last wish in mind and take it to heart,” Brenda added.
The mayor was shot dead past 9 p.m. on April 23 while campaigning for his reelection in Barangay Illuru Sur. The shooter, whom police said was likely a sniper, fired from a vantage point while the mayor was at the village’s hall, killing him with a single bullet.
Reward
As part of the effort to expedite the arrest of the assailant, Gov. Manuel Mamba has also offered a P1-million reward money for anyone who can provide information to authorities on the identity and immediate arrest of the suspect.
The local police have assured that they were continuing to strengthen their operations and investigations to quickly identify those behind the crime.
On the occasion of the deceased mayor’s birthday on April 29, the mayor’s camp announced that Ruma’s eldest daughter, Jamila Ruma, will continue her candidacy as mayor of Rizal in the midterm elections on May 12.
She has substituted for her deceased father in a certificate of candidacy filed at the Commission on Elections.
