Calls for justice for hit-and-run victim mount

Local

BUSINESS leaders and local officials called for accountability and stronger road safety measures following the death of young entrepreneur Kingston Ralph Cheng in a hit-and-run incident in Barangay Banilad, Cebu City.

This as authorities moved forward with administrative and criminal cases against the driver involved.

In a statement on Wednesday, Feb. 11, the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) expressed condolences to Cheng’s family and called his death a loss to Cebu’s entrepreneurial community.

"His passing is a profound loss not only to those closest to him, but to the broader entrepreneurial ecosystem," CCCI said.

The chamber said Cheng, who owned a cafe at an uptown mall, represented the next generation of business leaders and said the incident showed the need to strengthen accountability, road safety, and the protection of human life.

CCCI urged a swift, transparent, and impartial investigation to ensure accountability under the law, adding that road crashes continue to claim lives and cause lasting harm to families and communities.

The group called on both local and national governments to take coordinated action to improve road safety through policy reform, effective enforcement, and the development of safer infrastructure.

CCCI placed particular emphasis on pedestrian safety and the protection of sidewalks and public walkways.

Local officials mourn

Cebu City Mayor Nestor Archival said the city is mourning with Cheng’s family and assured the public that authorities are handling the case with seriousness and fairness.

“Our deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of the young Cebuano Kingston Ralph Ko Cheng who lost his life in the recent hit-and-run incident in Barangay Banilad. Our city mourns with you,” Archival said.

Archival assured the public that the case is being handled with seriousness and fairness and said he has directed police authorities to conduct a thorough and transparent investigation and to pursue appropriate charges under the law.

"No one is above the law, and accountability will be based on the full facts of the case,” he added.

The mayor also appealed for patience as the legal process moves forward and reiterated the city’s commitment to justice, public safety, and the protection of every Cebuano.

Aside from Archival, other local officials also took to social media to sympathize to the situation, including separate posts from Cebu Gov. Pamela Baricuatro, Association of Barangay Councils and ex-officio Cebu City Councilor Franklyn Ong.

What happened?

Police said the crash happened shortly after midnight on Sunday, Feb. 8, along Paseo Saturnino Road when a speeding vehicle driven by Sean Andrew Pajarillo first hit a parked Toyota Vios and did not stop.

The vehicle then struck Cheng, 23, near the entrance of Maria Luisa Subdivision before continuing on to Paseo Eulalia, where it lost control and rolled on its side.

Cheng sustained severe injuries and was rushed to a hospital but was declared dead on arrival.

Sobriety tests showed Pajarillo was not under the influence of alcohol at the time of the crash.

The Land Transportation Office in Central Visayas (LTO 7) ordered a 90-day preventive suspension of the driver’s license of Pajarillo, who remains under hospital arrest.

The driver failed to present a license and vehicle registration papers at the time of apprehension, although the LTO-7 later confirmed that he holds a valid license and ordered him to surrender it.

Authorities said Pajarillo faces violations of Section 48 on reckless driving and being unfit to possess a driver’s license under Republic Act 4136, as well as a possible violation of Republic Act 10586 or the Anti-Drunk and Drugged Driving Act.

A hearing is set for Feb. 17 at the LTO 7 Operations Division along N. Bacalso Avenue, where Pajarillo is required to submit a written explanation on why his license should not be suspended or revoked.(MyTVCebu)