A GRIEVING father is seeking justice after his 22-year-old son died following a predawn road collision Monday, Feb. 16, 2026, along N. Bacalso Ave. in Barangay Mambaling, Cebu City.
Isidrolito Salvador said his only child, Charlie Magne Salobre, who carried his mother’s surname, was injured around 2:55 a.m. after the motorcycle he was driving collided with another motorcycle that had slowed down when a Chevrolet Spark hatchback made a U-turn near St. Bernard Parish, according to a report from the Traffic Enforcement Unit (TEU) of the Cebu City Police Office.
The report said the hatchback, driven by Donald Avenido, was traveling along the highway when it made a U-turn. A Yamaha Aerox driven by Allam Bryan Gabuya slowed after seeing the vehicle turn. Salobre, who was riding a MotorStar motorcycle behind Gabuya, failed to brake in time and hit the rear of the Yamaha. Both riders were thrown off and taken to Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center for treatment.
Salvador said his son had just finished his shift around 2 a.m. as a crew member of a fast-food chain in Mambaling and had dropped off his girlfriend before heading home. Salobre was admitted to a hospital ward but died on Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026, due to his injuries.
Allegations
Salvador alleged that Avenido had no driver’s license and was under the influence of alcohol, claims that police have not confirmed. He said the driver was not detained and the vehicle was not impounded. As of Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026, he said there had been no significant developments and described the investigation as slow.
He compared the handling of his son’s case to a hit-and-run incident in Barangay Banilad a week earlier that killed businessman Kingston Ralph Ko Cheng, saying he believed authorities acted more quickly in that case.
Cebu City Police Office spokesperson Police Lt. Col. Jose Los Baños denied any favoritism, saying the Philippine National Police remained neutral. He said they cannot conclude that a person was under the influence of alcohol without official medical records and proper documentation.
Salvador said the family has not received financial assistance from the driver and has sought help from the TEU to obtain documents needed to secure closed-circuit television footage from nearby establishments. The footage, he said, could clarify how the collision happened.
He urged concerned agencies to ensure accountability and equal application of the law.
“I just want justice for my child,” Salvador said. / CAV