Members of Cebu’s running community gathered early Sunday morning, Feb. 15, for a 24-kilometer run calling for justice for 23-year-old Cebuano businessman Kingston Ralph Cheng, who was fatally struck along Paseo Saturnino Road in Barangay Banilad, Cebu City.
The incident happened in the early hours of Feb. 8, when an intoxicated Sean Andrew Pajarillo, 21, driving a Toyota Innova, first hit a parked vehicle before fleeing. Moments later, he struck Kingston, who was walking near a restobar in the area.
Pajarillo later gained temporary liberty after posting P72,000 bail on Friday, Feb. 13, 2026. He faces a charge of reckless imprudence resulting in homicide.
This can’t die down
The run, called “24kmForKingston,” marked what would have been Kingston’s 24th year this April. Participants printed race bibs that read “Justice for Kingston Cheng” and pinned them to their shirts before setting off. The route ended at the site in Banilad where a makeshift roadside memorial now stands, near where Kingston was struck.
In an interview Sunday morning, Bernard Sia, organizer of the run, said the goal was to keep people talking about the case. He said the activity was also meant to honor a young life, offer prayers, and remind the public to stay aware so that the institutions meant to protect people will do their part.
“I saw the news on Valentine’s Day and learned about the bail. My Facebook feed was getting fewer and fewer posts about this. I said, this can’t die down,” Sia said.
Sia said he knows Kingston’s family through business and community circles.
“We know the wheels of justice turn at their own pace. But many Cebuanos feel this is going really slow. So, we felt we needed to be louder,” he said.
Sia has been running along Paseo Saturnino for more than a decade. He described the road as narrow and lacking proper sidewalks.
“There are no proper sidewalks. At night, it’s full of cars. It’s very tight,” he said. “Kingston did everything right. He ran against traffic, as pedestrians are supposed to do.”
“For us, this is not just about sidewalks. It’s about accountability,” he added.
During the last stretch of his run, Sia said he prayed for the suspect and his family.
“We hope they realize the gravity of the situation and come forward. If they are truly remorseful, they have to show it,” he said.
A call for safer streets
Jerry Rapes, one of the participants, said he personally knew Kingston and his father, Robert Cheng.
“I spoke to him Saturday afternoon at his coffee shop. He handed me my drink. Little did I know that a few hours later, he would be gone,” Rapes said.
He said the incident shows the need for safer pedestrian spaces and stricter enforcement of traffic laws in Cebu City.
“We need pedestrian lanes to protect citizens who are walking. Drivers should be accountable for their right to operate a vehicle, and we should strictly enforce no drinking while driving,” he said.
He said the case should serve as a wakeup call for local authorities, including the Land Transportation Office and the police.
“This is not the first time it has happened. It has affected so many people. We all want a safer city,” he said.
“I’m not a lawyer, and I’m not condemning anyone. But accountability is important. It’s something we need to teach our youth,” he added.
Justice for Kingston
Cebu is known for its active running community, and organizers hope the 24-kilometer run will help keep attention on the case and push for safer roads.
“There’s something about the Cebuano spirit,” Sia said. “We come together. There’s no north or south. We’re one.”
As runners left their printed bibs near the site where Kingston was struck, they said they will continue to speak up for justice, for accountability, and for safer streets.
A photo of Kingston was displayed at the makeshift roadside memorial where he was struck in Banilad, Cebu City, after the run for justice on Sunday morning, Feb. 15. Photo by Jacqueline Hernandez
Runners offer prayers in front of the makeshift roadside memorial where Kingston was struck in Banilad, Cebu City, after completing the run for justice on Sunday morning, Feb. 15. Photo by Jacqueline Hernandez
A runner raises a bib after completing the 24 kilometer run for justice for Kingston Cheng near the makeshift roadside memorial where he was struck in Banilad, Cebu City, on Sunday morning, Feb. 15. Photo by Jacqueline Hernandez/Rappler
Runners left their bibs at the makeshift roadside memorial where Kingston was struck in Banilad, Cebu City, after completing the run for justice on Sunday morning, Feb. 15. Photo by Jacqueline Hernandez
Runners remove their bibs after completing the 24 kilometer justice run for Kingston Cheng in Banilad, Cebu City. Photo by Jacqueline Hernandez
Runners left their bibs at the makeshift roadside memorial where Kingston was struck in Banilad, Cebu City, after completing the run for justice on Sunday morning, Feb. 15. Photo by Jacqueline Hernandez
Bernard Sia, organizer of the run, completes the 24 kilometer justice run for Kingston Cheng, saying the goal is to keep people talking about the case. Photo by Jacqueline Hernandez
Runners raise their fists in a call for justice for Kingston Cheng in Banilad, Cebu City. Photo by Jacqueline Hernandez
