Mother of Cebu entrepreneur killed in hit-and-run incident shares grief: 'No amount of remorse can ever bring my son back'

Katherine Cheng, the mother of 23-year-old Cebu entrepreneur Kingston Ralph Cheng who died in a hit-and-run incident, shared her anguish, heartbreak, and resolve through a public statement.

"I lost my son in an unimaginable, tragic way that makes it so painful that words cannot express. It was the most difficult moment in my entire life," Cheng began her message shared over a week after her son's passing.

Early on Feb. 8, Kingston was struck by a drunk driver in Cebu allegedly attempting to flee a prior accident when he hit a parked vehicle. Kingston later died in the hospital due to severe injuries, as reported by The Freeman. 

"Now that Kingston has been taken from us, every part and corner of our home feels empty—a void that can't be ignored. His absence is deeply felt," she wrote. "We miss the late-night snacks, the stories, the laughter, and the chats with him. We miss how he sincerely listens and offers warm comfort whenever we are in distress. We miss his food and coffee that he passionately and joyfully prepares. We miss his beautiful music. We miss our family with Kingston."

"No amount of remorse or sincere apologies can ever bring him back," Cheng added. 

She then mentioned the filing of a case and entrusting the resolution to the police and the courts. 

"Initially, filing a case was never in our minds. We are too hurt, and we wanted to lay our son to rest in peace," Cheng wrote. "But we want to honor him, and we don't want the tragedy to go to waste, as if it did not happen."

Her family's intention to file the case, she said, stems from the desire to make the incident official and prevent other families from going through what they experienced. 

"We entrust the ultimate fate of this matter to the police and the courts, and we will respect whatever outcome as the case unfolds," Cheng wrote. 

"Hopefully, Kingston's demise will serve as a reminder of the dangers of drunk driving and also as an eye opener on how authorities can improve to provide a clean and safe Cebu," she added. 

The grieving mother thanked those who have been offering her family support and sharing stories about Kingston. 

"Kingston is the son that every parent would pray for. He is kind, caring, and loving, a supportive brother and a true friend that will always have your back. Kingston is and will always be a gift—a gift that keeps on giving," Cheng concluded. 

Early-morning incident

According to a report by The Freeman, Kingston, a café owner at Ayala Center Cebu, was allegedly struck by 21-year-old Sean Andrew Pajarillo soon after midnight on Feb. 8. 

Prior to hitting Kingston, Pajarillo supposedly struck a Toyota Vios parked on the road. Instead of stopping and checking the damage, Pajarillo allegedly sped off, later hitting Cheng, who, reports say, was walking near a restobar on Paseo Saturnino. 

Pajarillo again fled at high speed, according to witnesses, but eventually lost control of his vehicle and crashed down the road. 

Although Kingston was rushed to a private hospital, he was later declared dead because of severe injuries. 

Personnel from the Traffic Enforcement Unit of the Cebu City Police Office reported that during his apprehension, Pajarillo could not present a valid driver's license, as well as the vehicle's official receipt and certificate of registration. 

He was taken to a separate private hospital and placed under hospital arrest pending the filing of charges. Authorities are looking to file a case of reckless imprudence resulting in homicide against Pajarillo, adding that the suspect tested negative for alcohol and illegal drugs. 

However, per a The Freeman report, rumors quickly circulated online alleging Pajarillo was driving while intoxicated. Sought for verification, CCPO's information officer Police Lieutenant Colonel Jose Los Baños reiterated Pajarillo's negative test result for alcoholic substances. 

"Negative ang ilang [results] na under the influence of alcohol or liquor ang suspect," he told the media outlet. 

No charges were filed in connection with the vehicle the suspect hit prior to striking Kingston. The vehicle's owner agreed to settle the matter with Pajarillo, who committed to shoulder repair costs. 

On Feb. 13, Pajarillo posted bail of P72,000 for the charge of reckless imprudence resulting in homicide at the Cebu City Regional Trial Court. Afterward, he returned to the hospital to secure discharge clearance from his doctor.

His lawyer, Julito Añora Jr., assured that the suspect would not flee and would face court proceedings.