LTO chief wants lifetime ban on Pajarillo driver’s license

CEBU CITY, PHILIPPINES — Land Transportation Office (LTO) Chief, Assistant Secretary Markus V. Lakanilao, yesterday (Feb. 11) recommended a lifetime ban on the driver’s license of Sean Andrew Pajarillo, the suspect in the hit-and-run incident that killed pedestrian, 23-year-old businessman Kingston Ralph Ko  Cheng, at a street in Maria Luisa Village, Barangay Banilad, Cebu City.

In a press conference on Wednesday, Lakanilao, who personally traveled to Cebu to assess the situation and review the status of the investigation, assured the public of stricter action against reckless drivers, stressing that the case is being treated with utmost seriousness.

“I will recommend to ban the driver (Pajarillo), ban for life yung kanyang driver’s license. Kasi hindi yung lasing ka na, nakadisgrasya ka pa ng mga ibang mga motorista, tapos makakapatay ka ng innocent yung tao, ganun-ganun lang. So lahat po ng legal, although recommendation ako, pero yung recommendation ko ay matanggalan na po siya ng lisensya na panghabambuhay. Wala kang karapatan na mamaneho yung ganyang klaseng tao sa ating kalsada,” said Lakanilao in a press conference yesterday.

He emphasized that it is unacceptable for a driver to operate a vehicle while intoxicated, cause an accident involving other motorists, and end up taking the life of an innocent person.

Although the move is still a recommendation and subject to legal process, the official said the gravity of the incident warrants the maximum administrative penalty. “I came here to find out what really happened because a life was lost. I am very particular about cases like this,” he said.

Lakanilao said the vehicle involved has already been placed under alarm and that a hearing is scheduled on February 17. He added that authorities are also pursuing the registered owner of the vehicle.

He added that even if the driver fails or refuses to surrender his license, the LTO can still proceed with revocation and permanent disqualification. “Whether he is rich, influential, or well-connected, it does not matter. If the evidence warrants it, he will be banned,” he said.

The LTO official also expressed confidence in their findings, saying their investigation indicated that the driver was under the influence of alcohol at the time of the incident, despite earlier reports that a test result was negative. He noted that the agency is conducting its own independent assessment.

“I am concerned ako doon sa nangyari, kasi kita naman natin na merong nabuwis ng buhay na kababayan natin na naglalakad lang, nabangga rin siya ng walang disiplina na driver na lasing. Hindi nila maikakaila sa akin kasi ako mismo nag-imbestiga at meron akong katibayan na nakita kong lasing. Kaya huwag nilang gagawing dahilan sa akin yun na hindi yun lasing. Very particular ako diyan,” said Lakanilao stressing that the driver was drunk when the incident happened.

He also addressed concerns about the availability of breath analyzers, saying the LTO Central Office maintains sufficient equipment and can deploy them in coordination with regional offices and other agencies during major incidents.

Lakanilao stressed that while criminal charges fall under the jurisdiction of the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the courts, the LTO will focus on the administrative aspect, particularly the revocation and disqualification of licenses. The agency will provide technical and procedural support to law enforcement for the criminal case.

The assistant secretary said the incident underscores the need for stricter enforcement against drunk driving, as he announced that the LTO is set to revise its Joint Administrative Order next month to impose tougher measures and strengthen enforcement operations, in coordination with PNP Region 7.

“We will be more strict. Drivers involved in serious accidents, especially those resulting in death, should no longer be allowed on our roads,” he said. “Kaya sa amin sa LTO, mas hihigpitan namin ang enforcers namin. Nagkaroon ako ng instruction sa ating YCRD at ARD na mas dagdagan ang aming enforcers at palitan ang dapat palitan na mga enforcers.”

The LTO official said the agency is coordinating with its regional office to ensure that administrative proceedings against the suspect are carried out in accordance with the law.

Earlier, the Land Transportation Office in Central Visayas imposed a 90-day preventive suspension on the driver’s license of Pajarillo. LTO-7 scheduled a hearing on February 17, during which Pajarillo is required to personally appear in the proceedings.

Archival vows to pursue justice

Mayor Nestor Archival has vowed that justice will be pursued following the tragic death of entrepreneur Kingston Ralph Ko Cheng in a hit-and-run incident in Barangay Banilad on Sunday (Feb. 8)

“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. I assure the public that this case is being handled with seriousness and fairness. No one is above the law, and accountability will be based on the full facts of the case,” Archival said in a statement.

The mayor emphasized that police authorities have been directed to conduct a thorough and transparent investigation, while also acknowledging systemic gaps in Cebu’s road safety enforcement.

In an interview with reporters yesterday, Archival pointed to the absence of toxicology and breath analyzer equipment in local hospitals. “Dinhi sa tibuok Cebu, atong nahibaw-an wala diay ta’y equipment niana…we need to have that. Wala ta’y breath analyzer…I think wala. We need to have that.”

Police reports identified the suspect as Sean Andrew Pajarillo, 21, who was driving a Toyota Innova at high speed. He first crashed into a parked vehicle before hitting Cheng, who was thrown against a utility pole, and got injured when his vehicle overturned.

The injured Pajarillo was later placed under hospital arrest after the Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) – Traffic Enforcement Unit (TEU), on Tuesday (Feb. 10), filed two cases against him: Reckless imprudence resulting in homicide, and Reckless Imprudence resulting in damage to properties.

The Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) joined the city in mourning, describing Cheng as “a very young entrepreneur whose passion reflected the energy driving Cebu’s business community.”

Cheng’s passing has reignited calls on Cebu City’s road safety concerns. CCCI emphasized that Cheng’s death highlights the urgent need for stronger accountability, safer infrastructure, and pedestrian-friendly road design.

“This senseless tragedy highlights the urgent need to strengthen accountability, road safety, and the protection of human life. We call for fairness and justice for the victims and for a swift, transparent, and impartial investigation to ensure accountability under the law,” the CCCI said.

Despite repeated calls for reform, enforcement gaps and inadequate infrastructure remain pressing concerns.

For many, the incident is a wake-up call to prioritize pedestrian safety and ensure that Cebu’s streets reflect not only economic progress but also a commitment to human dignity.

Lakanilao also responded to the Cebu business sector’s call for stronger road safety measures, saying the agency will ensure that laws are strictly implemented and that erring drivers face the highest administrative penalties.

Under existing rules, administrative fines for driving under the influence range from ₱20,000 to ₱80,000 for a first offense without injuries, ₱100,000 to ₱200,000 if physical injuries occur, and ₱300,000 to P500,000 if the violation results in homicide, aside from license suspension or revocation.

“This should serve as a warning. We are serious about road safety. Lives are irreplaceable,” Lakanilao said, urging the public to report reckless and intoxicated drivers to authorities.

Regional Highway Patrol Unit 7 (RHPU-7) Chief Police Lieutenant Colonel Wildemar Tiu debunked the allegations that the family of Pajarillo used their connections with the authorities to interfere with the investigation into the fatal hit-and-run incident.

This came after rumors spread on social media that the suspect’s father allegedly used his connections with the  Highway Patrol Group (HPG) to interfere with the investigation into the incident involving his son. “Those are just allegations nga naa’y kapit. HPG has nothing to do in the sense of investigation,” Tiu told The Freeman in an interview.

Tiu clarified that the suspect’s father is only a member of an HPG-led association called the “Tiger Group” and maintained that his affiliation was not used to influence with the investigation.

He said the members of the group include businessmen, cadets, and other civilians who want to join their Executive Motorcycle Riding Course (EMRC) activities every weekend.

“Kanang iyang father nag-apil na siya og Executive Motor(cycle) Riding Course, (which is) usa sa mga activity na gihatag sa HPG na para sa mga civilian from different sector,” said Tiu.

He also shared that the EMRC is conducted by the HPG to train their participants about road safety and discipline. “Gitudlo na siya for road safety and road discipline. Motorcycle riding course mana siya. So, ang purpose jud ana, ang intention ana (is) para matudloan ang (mga participants),” he said.

Tiu mentioned that the hit-and-run incident in Maria Luisa Village in Barangay Banilad, Cebu City was a traffic-related incident and that the relevant office had already conducted an investigation.

“There’s no relation at all…Wala’y interference ang HPG ana because that is a local traffic incident and that incident has a corresponding criminal liability,” he said.

Tiu also expressed that he was surprised when the HPG was implicated in the rumors circulating online regarding the incident, stressing that the allegations are baseless and untrue.

“Hibong bitaw ko nganong naapil ang HPG nga layo ra sad ani. People just give that impression nga ingon ana. Pero the information is inaccurate,” he said.