Banilad hit-and-run exposes Cebu City’s lack of emergency equipment

Local

THE death of young Cebuano businessman Kingston Ralph Ko Cheng in a hit-and-run has exposed a gap in Cebu City’s emergency and forensic response system.

Mayor Nestor Archival acknowledged on Wednesday, Feb. 12, that neither Cebu City nor its major hospitals currently have breath-analyzing equipment to immediately determine whether a driver involved in a crash is under the influence of alcohol.

The issue surfaced following questions over the negative alcohol test result of 21-year-old Sean Andrew Pajarillo, the driver charged in connection with the Feb. 8 incident that killed Cheng.

According to the Cebu City Police Office (CCPO), the delay in conducting the alcohol examination may have affected the result.

Lt. Col. Jose Los Baños, CCPO information officer, said the incident occurred at around 12:53 a.m. on February 8 along Paseo Saturnino Road in Barangay Banilad.

Initial investigation by the Traffic Enforcement Unit (TEU) showed that Pajarillo, who was driving a Toyota Innova, first hit a parked Toyota Vios near One Paseo but did not stop. While allegedly accelerating away, he struck Cheng, who was walking. The impact threw the victim into a utility pole.

Pajarillo attempted to flee but later crashed inside Maria Luisa Village, leading to his apprehension. Both Cheng and Pajarillo were brought to hospitals. Cheng was declared dead due to severe injuries.

Pajarillo, upon the request of his father, was initially brought to a private hospital in Mandaue City. He arrived there at around 1:50 a.m. and was admitted to the emergency room before being transferred to a private room at 2:20 p.m.

By 2:50 p.m., TEU personnel coordinated with hospital authorities to request liquor and drug testing. Doctors explained that the procedure required the patient’s consent, which Pajarillo voluntarily gave around 4 p.m.

However, police later learned that the private hospital had no available alcohol testing equipment.

Authorities then arranged to transfer Pajarillo to Cebu City Medical Center (CCMC). The transfer was further delayed by about one hour and 30 minutes due to the unavailability of an ambulance.

It was only at 7:55 p.m., approximately 18 hours and five minutes after he was first brought to the hospital, that a liquor sobriety test was conducted at CCMC. The result was negative.

Los Baños said there is a “big possibility” that the lengthy interval affected the outcome of the test.

Archival said the situation revealed that Cebu City lacks the necessary toxicology equipment to promptly determine alcohol intoxication.

“Sa tibuok Cebu, atong nahibaw-an wala diay ta’y equipment nga ingana,” the mayor said, referring to breath analyzers and similar devices.

He explained that by the time Pajarillo was examined at CCMC, 12 hours had already passed, and the suspect had been given intravenous fluids and other treatment.

Archival also clarified that it was not the police who issued the medical certification but doctors at CCMC.

“Appearance ra man ang tan-awon kung hubog o dili. Wala ta’y ingana nga breath analyzer,” he said.

He noted that assessments were based on clinical observation rather than specialized equipment.

The mayor described the development as a “lesson learned” and said the city government would study the acquisition of appropriate alcohol testing devices.

“Unsa may palitonon? Unsa may specifications? Tan-awon nato unsaon pag-rectify nga wala man ta’y ingana,” he said.

Cheng, 23, was the owner of The Mill Lifestyle Café and a graduate of Monash Business School in Australia. His death triggered widespread grief among Cebu’s business and social communities.

Archival said the city government will closely monitor the case.

“Whatever is correct, we should be very transparent,” he said, adding that he had instructed police officials to ensure a thorough and fair investigation.

The mayor also acknowledged the anguish of Cheng’s family.

“Ang family guol gyud sila. They are just trying to say, ‘How long?’” he said.

He assured the public that the city would assist in pursuing justice.

“No one is above the law,” Archival said in an earlier statement. “Accountability will be based on the full facts of the case.”(TGP)