Jake Cuenca rapped for disobedience, reckless imprudence – police

FILE PHOTO: Jake Cuenca

MANILA, Philippines — Actor Jake Cuenca is facing complaints of disobedience and reckless imprudence over a road accident in Mandaluyong City over the weekend, Eastern Police District (EPD) Director Brig. Gen. Matthew Baccay said.

But the EPD chief explained that police had to release Cuenca because not doing so would mean arbitrary detention since the period to keep him under police custody had lapsed before the complaints were filed.

“He was released [from] custody kasi lumagpas na ang reglementary period of 12 hours since minor [offenses] ‘yung kaso. Kanina po, by way of regular filing, nasampahan ng Disobedience and Reckless Imprudence si Jake Cuenca.” Bacay said.

(He was released from custody because the regulatory period of 12 hours for the minor offenses has passed. Earlier, by way of regular filing, Disobedience and Reckless Imprudence complaints were lodged against Jake Cuenca.)

“Kahapon ng umaga was supposed to be for inquest pero ‘di natuloy,” he also said.

(The inquest was supposed to be held yesterday morning but did not proceed.)

Previous reports indicated that Cuenca on Sunday allegedly fled a road mishap that involved a police vehicle in Mandaluyong City.

Initial reports from the Philippine National Police (PNP) said that the involved vehicle just came from a police operation in Barangay Barangka, Mandaluyong City, prior to being hit by Cuenca’s car.

Instead of stopping, police said Cuenca sped off the scene, resulting in a chase where law enforcers shot the tires of the actor’s car to waylay him. During the shooting, a Grab driver was hit by a bullet.

In an earlier statement, PNP chief Gen. Guillermo Eleazar said police officers involved in the incident were placed under restrictive custody while the investigation was ongoing. He assured that disciplinary and corrective measures will be imposed if the involved police officers were found to have erred.

But Eleazar also vowed to hold Cuenca accountable for the road accident.

The actor was reportedly on his way to visit fellow actor Paulo Avelino when the accident happened. Avelino claimed the police officers who gave chase to Cuenca were not in their service uniform.

READ: Paulo Avelino defends Jake Cuenca on Mandaluyong road incident issue

INQUIRER.net tried to seek PNP’s comment on Avelino’s assertions but has yet to receive a response on the matter.

As of writing, Cuenca has yet to publicly address the incident.

KGA