Hit-and-run suspect’s ‘security escorts’ cleared

Local

THE Mandaue City Prosecutor’s Office has dismissed the charges against five men who were accused of posing as security escorts for hit-and-run suspect Sean Andrew Pajarillo.

On Friday, Feb. 13, Deputy City Prosecutor Sarah Vanessa Lacno-Tudtud issued an inquest resolution, stating that the office lacked jurisdiction over the case.

The five men had been charged with violating Republic Act 11917, or the Private Security Services Act, which mandates that only licensed individuals can engage in security work.

The law stipulates 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.

However, the Prosecutor’s Office clarified that such penalties must be imposed by the Chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP), not the local prosecutors, thereby making them unable to move forward with the case.

The five men were arrested on Feb. 12 after attempting to access Pajarillo’s hospital room in Mandaue City, where he was under arrest for the fatal hit-and-run. They allegedly claimed to be hired to protect the suspect but could not present valid licenses or proof of affiliation with a registered security agency.

However, the Prosecutor’s Office clarified in its resolution that penalties for such violations must be imposed by the Chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP), making it outside their jurisdiction to file the case in court.

According to police reports, the suspects admitted to acting as security escorts for Pajarillo but failed to provide any documentation or proof of their affiliation with a legitimate security agency.

Police Lt. Col. Mercy Villaro-Kantuna of the Mandaue City Police Office explained that under Republic Act 11917, only individuals with proper security licenses are authorized to engage in security-related duties.

The men were asked to present documentation, but they were unable to provide any.

Authorities determined that the individuals were not authorized to perform security duties, according to Villaro-Kantuna.

After their arrest, the men were informed of their constitutional rights and brought to the Mandaue City Police Office’s Subangdaku Police Station 2 for processing.

Despite their claims of acting in an official capacity, they were charged with violating the Private Security Services Industry Act for providing security without proper authority.

In response to the allegations, Atty. Nodger Jude Dalman, the legal counsel for Pajarillo’s family, denied that the five men had been hired as security personnel.

He clarified that the men were family acquaintances who had simply visited Pajarillo during his hospital confinement.

“Acquaintances ra sa family ni Sean. It is their discretion why they visited altogether. Dili naman ta makaquestion kung unsa ang ilahang intentions basta family acquaintances. They are not hired as security escorts,” Dalman said.

The 21-year-old Pajarillo had been placed under hospital arrest after sustaining injuries when the vehicle he was driving overturned during the crash, which resulted in the death of 23-year-old businessman Kingston Ralph Cheng.

He faces charges of reckless imprudence resulting in homicide and damage to property for his involvement in the fatal crash on Feb. 8, 2026.

Pajarillo was arrested after his vehicle collided with a post and overturned, killing Cheng.

Videos surfaced online showing the 21-year-old appearing intoxicated, but a subsequent alcohol test revealed he was negative for alcohol.

However, the test was conducted 18 hours after the crash, which may have affected the results.

Pajarillo has since then posted P72,000 bail and was granted temporary liberty, although he remains under hospital arrest until he completes his medical treatment and receives clearance from his doctors.

Atty. Julito Añora Jr., Pajarillo’s legal counsel, emphasized that while Pajarillo is free on temporary liberty, any attempts to flee the country would result in the revocation of his bail.(MyTVCebu)