The Eastern Police District (EPD) explained on Monday, October 11, that fear drove actor Jake Cuenca to run away after hitting a vehicle owned by a police officer in Mandaluyong City.
EPD Director PBGen. Matthew Baccay revealed that PMGen Elvin Ballesteros, the owner of the vehicle was not wearing his police uniform when the incident happened.
"Initially, nung pinapara siya ni PMGen. Ballesteros, I have heard na natakot siya because hindi naman naka-uniform is PMGen. Ballesteros," Baccay said during DZRH's Dos Por Dos.
"May apprehension din siya na may isang armado na pumapara sa kanya," he added.
However, Baccay mentioned that a nearby police outpost also tried to stop Cuenca but the celebrity continued to flee while in his sports utility vehicle.
"Say a few hundred meters, nandoon yung isang outpost natin ng pulis na pumara din sa kanya, which he ignored," Baccay stressed.
Baccay also clarified that Ballesteros was in the area to recover evidence, 31 bricks of marijuana, left behind by a suspect apprehended earlier by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA).
"Yung may-ari nung bahay kung saan yung 31 kilos ay na-recover, ayaw niyang madamay dahil iniwan lang for all intents and purposes," Baccay explained.
"So, in private, na pumunta si PMGen. Ballesteros doon to recover the marijuana," he added.
The police district director cleared Cuenca from any involvement in illegal drugs and said that the actor only passed through the area when the incident happened.
Authorities apprehended Cuenca on Saturday, October 9, in Pasig City after chasing him from Brgy. Barangka Ibaba, Mandaluyong City.
Cuenca, who also hit a barrier, face charges for reckless imprudence resulting in damage to property and disobedience to persons in authority
