PHILIPPINE National Police (PNP) chief, General Guillermo Lorenzo T. Eleazar on Monday assured disciplinary actions against the Mandaluyong City policemen who were involved in a wild chase-turned shooting incident while going after a reckless-driving actor Jake Cuenca last Saturday evening, in the process accidentally hitting a Grab driver in the area.

“First, I would like to apologize to the Grab driver who was hit by a stray bullet in this incident. I would like to assure you and your family that we will take care of all the medical expenses of your hospitalization and we shall also extend financial assistance that will also cover the period of your recovery,” the top cop said.

He added that the PNP would also welcome and respect the decision of the Grab driver if he would take legal action over the incident,

“Second, I have already instructed the District Director of Eastern Police District, Police Brig. Gen. Matthew Bacay, to place all the personnel involved under restrictive custody while the investigation is being conducted. 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,” Gen. Eleazar said.

According to Baccay, members of the Mandaluyong City Police Station Drug Enforcement Unit led by Major Elvin Ballesteros were about to leave Silangan corner Pantaleon Streets in Barangay Barangka in Mandaluyong City around 8:30 p.m. last Saturday following an anti-illegal operations when the Hyundai Accent car of Ballesteros was hit by a vehicle driven by Cuenca. The vehicle also rammed a barrier in the area.

But instead of going out of the car, Cuenca sped off which resulted ted in a car chase which ended up along Shaw Boulevard near the Pag-Ibig building.

During the incident, the operatives shot the tires of Cuenca’s black Rubicon Jeep in a bid to force the vehicle to stop. However, the Grab driver was accidentally hit by a stray bullet fired by the policemen in his right body and was taken to the Rizal Medical Center.

Cuenca whose real name was Juan Carlos Cuenca was eventually arrested and is now facing charges for reckless imprudence resulting to damage to property and disobedience to a person in authority under Article 151 of the Revised Penal Code.

The complainants against him are Ballesteros and two other members of the Mandaluyong SDEU.

“Now, I understand the negative sentiments of our kababayan 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,” said Gen. Eleazar.

What the actor did, according to the top cop, was reckless and only showed lack of discipline and 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,” he 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,” Gen. Eleazar added.