CEBU, Philippines – Within the early hours of Sunday, February 8, an intoxicated Sean Andrew Pajarillo, 21, drove his Toyota Innova alongside the Paseo Saturnino Street in Barangay Banilad, Cebu Metropolis.
At first, Pajarillo hit a parked automobile. At that time, the intoxicated driver would have had two decisions: (1) do the appropriate factor and give up himself to authorities for driving below the affect and reckless imprudence leading to property injury, or (2) run.
The motive force selected the latter.
In his try to flee, Pajarillo killed 23-year-old Kingston Ralph Cheng whereas dashing. Cheng was strolling close to a neighborhood restobar alongside Paseo Saturnino.
The drunk 21-year-old proceeded to drive off to Paseo Rodulfo street inside the Maria Luisa subdivision in Barangay Banilad. That is the place Pajarillo misplaced management of his automobile.
The automobile swerved and laid on its left aspect.
Cheng was instantly delivered to the hospital after the incident however died thereafter. Pajarillo is presently below hospital arrest and is predicted to face legal expenses.
This incident in Cebu has introduced out quite a few debates over the “ineffective” implementation of alcohol checks for drivers, questionable street security within the extremely urbanized cities of the province, and lack of pedestrian infrastructure.
Public outcry
Many Cebuanos, together with public officers, aired their sentiments and frustrations over what occurred to Cheng after the deadly incident.
Kathryn Sienna, a Cebu-based meals vlogger, shared in a Fb publish on Wednesday, February 11, that they have been among the many first few folks to seek out the automobile that took Cheng’s life on February 8.
“I nonetheless can’t consider how his life was simply lower brief and ripped away from him in a blink of a second… No quantity of condolences will have the ability to heal his household’s coronary heart,” her publish learn.
Cebu Governor Pamela Baricuatro additionally referred to as for justice for Cheng, in a social media publish on Tuesday, February 10.
“I’ve directed our police authorities to conduct an intensive and clear investigation and to pursue applicable expenses below the regulation,” Cebu Metropolis Mayor Nestor Archival mentioned in his assertion on February 10.
Cheng was a beloved entrepreneur and proficient violinist. He was the proprietor of Mill Way of life Café and a member of the String Version Orchestra.
“He would gentle up with a giant smile when you requested him to play music with you,” Marc Mercado, the chief of the orchestra group mentioned in a Fb publish.
Throughout a gathering at his wake, the String Version Orchestra paid tribute to their pricey pal.
Gaps in alcohol testing
CCTV footage from an institution on February 8 launched to native information retailers revealed that Pajarillo was visibly stumbling and had an irregular pacing on his method to his automobile moments earlier than the hit-and-run.
Extra footage unfold on social media confirmed that he was partying at a bar within the late hours of February 7, and was seen being chased by a safety guard after crashing his automobile alongside Paseo Rodulfo street.
At his father’s request, Pajarillo was delivered to a hospital in Mandaue Metropolis at round 12:50 am on February 8, the place he was positioned in a personal room. Authorities requested hospital officers to conduct an alcohol and drug check on Pajarillo.
Greater than half a day had handed earlier than Pajarillo was delivered to the Cebu Metropolis Medical Middle (CCMC) because the Mandaue hospital lacked gear to detect traces of alcohol in sufferers.
Solely at CCMC did docs lastly conduct the check which resulted in Pajarillo popping out unfavorable for alcohol intoxication.
In a SunStar Cebu article dated February 11, Police Lieutenant Colonel Jose Los Baños mentioned that the switch from one hospital to the opposite and medical protocols precipitated the delay in administering the liquor check.
Nevertheless, Archival mentioned, as quoted in the identical SunStar Cebu article, that each hospitals didn’t have the gear to detect alcohol gear, pushing docs to depend on bodily statement of the affected person quite than detection instruments.
“The physician mentioned the suspect was coherent and capable of discuss correctly, however that was already after 12 hours. The certification got here from the physician, not the police,” the mayor mentioned.
Searching for accountability
The Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Business (CCCI), in an announcement on February 11, highlighted the pressing want for strengthening accountability, street security and safety of human life in gentle of the current tragedy.
“Too many street accidents proceed to end result within the lack of lives, limbs, and property, leaving lasting hurt on households, communities, and livelihoods,” they mentioned.
Information from the Visitors Enforcement Unit (TEU) of the Cebu Metropolis Police Workplace (CCPO) confirmed that within the first quarter of 2025, there have been 1,988 street accidents in Cebu Metropolis — an estimated 12% soar from the 1,776 within the first quarter of 2024.
The CCCI referred to as on the federal government to provoke actions to reclaim sidewalks and public walkways for his or her supposed goal.
“Sidewalks should not elective or secondary areas; they’re important security infrastructure. Clear, accessible, and unobstructed sidewalks shield lives, scale back threat, and forestall pedestrians from being pressured onto harmful roadways,” the CCCI added.
In the meantime, Cebu Metropolis Councilor Harold Go introduced on Thursday, February 12 that he would pursue an ordinance, entitled the Kingston Ralph Ordinance, that may maintain institutions accountable once they serve to already intoxicated people who might later trigger harm, demise, or property injury.
As of this writing, the Land Transportation Workplace in Central Visayas has issued a present trigger order in opposition to Pajarillo and suspended his driver’s license.
In keeping with the TEU, the intoxicated driver was unable to current his license and registration paperwork of his automobile when he was apprehended.
Whereas nonetheless below hospital arrest resulting from his accidents, Pajarillo might be dealing with a case of reckless imprudence leading to murder and injury to property.
On February 13, Friday, he posted bail amounting to P72,000 on the Cebu Metropolis Regional Trial Courtroom for his case. Pajarillo’s lawyer, Julito Añora Jr., instructed the media that the accused may have his day in court docket. – Rappler.com
