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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider Visayas devider 5 men tagged as Pajarillo security exonerated

5 men tagged as Pajarillo security exonerated

Published Feb 14, 2026 10:38 pm
A GROUP of men is questioned by police for entering the hospital room of a hit-and-run suspect to supposedly provide security. (Contributed photo)
A GROUP of men is questioned by police for entering the hospital room of a hit-and-run suspect to supposedly provide security. (Contributed photo)
CEBU CITY – The five men accused of acting as security escorts of a hit-and-run suspect were cleared of charges.
The Mandaue City Prosecutor’s Office on Friday, Feb. 13, dismissed the charges against the five men for lack of jurisdiction.
The five men had been charged with violating Republic Act 11917 or the Private Security Services Act for entering the hospital room of Sean Andrew Pajarillo, the driver of the vehicle that hit and killed 23-year-old businessman Kingston Ralph Cheng in Barangay Banilad, Cebu City last Feb. 8.
On Feb. 12, five men went to the private hospital in Mandaue City where Pajarillo was confined. They told the police that they were hired by Pajarillo's family to provide security to the suspect, who was recuperating from injuries he sustained during the fatal hit-and-run.
Police ended up arresting and charging the five men for failing to present documents authorizing them to act as private security personnel.
RA 11917 imposes fines of P50,000 to P100,000 for individuals found guilty of providing security services without the proper license, as well as for private security agencies that deploy unlicensed personnel.
But in her resolution, Deputy City Prosecutor Sarah Vanessa Lacno-Tudtud said their office lacked jurisdiction over the case.
The Prosecutor’s Office emphasized that such penalties must be imposed by the Chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP) and not the local prosecutors.
Pajarillo’s legal counsel, Nodger Jude Dalman, later claimed that the five men are actually acquaintances of the hit-and-run suspect and went there for a visit.
The development came after Pajarillo posted bail for reckless imprudence resulting in homicide.
The case became more controversial after the suspect tested negative for alcohol use despite videos surfacing online showing him struggling to walk due to alleged drunkenness before the incident happened.

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Sean Andrew Pajarillo Cebu City Kingston Ralph Cheng
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