The leadership of the Philippine National Police (PNP) guaranteed that Jake Cuenca will be held accountable following the hot pursuit between the police and the actor last Saturday.
In a video statement posted over Facebook, Police General Guillermo Lorenzo Eleazar said that Cuenca’s act was reckless and showed lack of respect to authorities.
“Being an actor and a public figure, he must set a good example for people who idolize him by owning up to his mistake and facing its consequences,” the PNP chief said.
“Sa iyong ginawa, titiyakin ko na mananagot ka sa pambabastos mo hindi lang sa mga pulis kundi sa batas, at sa kawalan mo ng disiplina sa sarili (With what you did, I will make sure that you will be held liable, not just to the police but to the law (because of) your lack of self-discipline),” he added.
Eleazar also issued an apology to the Grab driver and assured that the PNP will cover the expenses for the hospitalization as well as “extend financial assistance that will also cover the period of recovery.” He even said that they would welcome and respect the decision of the Grab driver should he take legal action over the incident.
Further, the country's police chief mentioned that he already instructed the Eastern Police District Director Matthew Bacay to place all personnel involved in the incident under restrictive custody during the course of investigation.
“We assure the public that disciplinary measures will be imposed on the personnel involved and corrective measures will be implemented in order to prevent the repeat of this incident,” Eleazar said.
Based on an incident report, Cuenca — on board his Jeep Wrangler Rubicon — sped off after bumping into a police car involved in an anti-illegal drug operation Saturday evening and a hot pursuit followed after. Aside from the police car, authorities claimed that Cuenca’s vehicle also rammed a barrier in the area and "ignored a police chokepoint at Pioneer corner Reliance Streets."
Upon reaching Shaw Boulevard east-bound lane near Pag-Ibig Building, the actor “attempted to ram the police officers, thus prompted them to shoot the rear tires” of the vehicle.
However, Grab Driver Eleazar Martinito, who was in the vicinity of the incident, got accidentally hit by a stray bullet and was rushed at a nearby hospital.
“Now, I understand the negative sentiments of our kababayan (countrymen) on this issue but let us not forget why this incident happened in the first place: May isang motorista na imbes na humingi ng paumanhin at panagutan ang kanyang pagkakamali ay gumawa ng eksenang pang-teleserye at pampelikula (there was a motorist who instead of apologizing and owning up to his mistake, made a scene usually seen on TV series or movies),” Eleazar said.
Photos from Philippine National Police Facebook page
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