Racing car kills pedestrian
CEBU, Philippines — A man crossing a pedestrian lane died after he was hit by a vehicle that was allegedly racing with another vehicle along Gov. M. Cuenco Avenue in Barangay Kasambagan, Cebu City, in the early hours of Friday, Sept. 11, 2026.
Police identified the victim as Ralph John Vir Salise, 42, a resident of A.S. Fortuna St. in Barangay Banilad, Mandaue City.
The suspect, identified as alias Billy Tabalason, who was driving a Toyota Vios, remains at large, according to Cebu City Police Office Traffic Enforcement Unit Chief PLTCOL Jomar Anoba Medil.
In its initial investigation, police said the incident happened at around 3:30 a.m. near a Phoenix gas station, where Salise was crossing the road toward the opposite side.
According to Medil, the Vios, driven by Tabalason, and another vehicle, a Toyota Raize, were traveling toward Talamban and were allegedly racing with each other. The Raize was driven by 22-year-old Ralph Sisco Acol and had a 17-year-old passenger.
However, just as Salise was crossing the road, a speeding Vios hit him. Salise was brought to a private hospital but was later declared dead, police said.
After hitting Salise, police said Tabalason abandoned the vehicle and boarded Acol’s Toyota Raize. Acol then drove the Raize away from the area.
A witness to the incident, Fritz Joshua Badana Peñaflor, who was driving a VinFast Green Taxi, reportedly tried to stop the fleeing subjects, who were both riding Acol’s Toyota Raize.
While fleeing, their vehicle allegedly hit Peñaflor’s VinFast taxi before continuing to drive away.
No other injuries or casualties were reported by police aside from Salise.
Acol was later arrested and brought to the Traffic Enforcement Unit for investigation. Police said he tested positive for alcohol in a breathalyzer test.
Authorities are continuing the manhunt for Tabalason.
Police are preparing charges in connection with the incident, including reckless imprudence resulting in homicide and other appropriate offenses. (CEBU NEWS)
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