In a significant development in a tragic case that has gripped Cebu, hit-and-run suspect Sean Andrew Pajarillo made his appearance before the Cebu City Prosecutor's Office on February 13, 2026. He faces charges of reckless imprudence resulting in homicide, linked to the death of young entrepreneur Kingston Ralph Ko Cheng. This court proceeding marks a pivotal step in the legal process, as authorities intensify efforts to bring justice to the grieving family.
Mother's Heartbreaking Statement
Ten days after the fatal incident, Katherine Cheng, Kingston's mother, broke her silence with a restrained yet anguished statement released on February 17, 2026. She expressed the profound pain of losing her son in an unimaginable tragedy, describing it as the most difficult moment of her life. "I lost my son in an unimaginable, tragic way that makes it so painful that words cannot express," she said, highlighting the emotional toll on the family.
Initially, the Cheng family had not considered filing a case, wanting to lay Kingston to rest in peace. However, Katherine emphasized their desire to honor his memory and prevent similar tragedies. "We want to honor him and we don't want the tragedy to go to waste, as if it did not happen," she explained. The family hopes that Kingston's death will serve as a stark reminder of the dangers of drunk driving and prompt stronger safety measures in Cebu.
Details of the Incident
Authorities reported that Kingston died on February 8, 2026, from injuries sustained after being thrown into a utility pole when a vehicle driven by Pajarillo struck him along Paseo Saturnino. Prior to this, Pajarillo had hit a parked vehicle before fleeing the scene. Following the incident, police booked Pajarillo for reckless imprudence resulting in homicide, and he was later released on P72,000 bail. The family remained silent during Kingston's burial, but now seeks to make the incident official to spare other families from similar pain.
NBI Investigation and Video Evidence
Meanwhile, the National Bureau of Investigation in Central Visayas (NBI 7) has launched a separate probe into potential violations of special laws, including the Anti-Drunk and Drugged Driving Act. NBI 7 Agent Maria Contesa Lastimoso, the assigned investigator, confirmed that the agency has preserved and authenticated key video evidence. This includes CCTV footage from before the crash and a video circulating online that allegedly shows Pajarillo walking toward his car outside a bar in Cebu City shortly before the incident.
Lastimoso stated that the next step is to further authenticate this video, which appears to depict Pajarillo in an intoxicated state before driving. "We are looking into special laws because it wouldn't preclude us from filing other cases on top of the ones filed by the PNP under their jurisdiction," she added, indicating that the police charges do not bar the NBI from pursuing additional allegations.
Controversy Over Sobriety Tests
Photos and videos on social media suggested Pajarillo was intoxicated prior to the crash, but a medical certificate from a government hospital indicated no alcohol in his system. Netizens raised concerns after police revealed the sobriety test was conducted 19 hours post-incident. Cebu City Mayor Nestor Archival further questioned the reliability, noting that the Cebu City Medical Center lacked equipment to test for alcohol presence. This has fueled public scrutiny and calls for a thorough investigation.
As part of the ongoing probe, authorities will identify potential witnesses, collect sworn affidavits, and coordinate with Cheng's legal counsel. The case continues to unfold, with the community watching closely for justice and accountability in this heartbreaking event.
