Kapamilya actor Jake Cuenca has recalled the controversial incident in which he was chased and fired upon by police officers, resulting in a stray bullet hitting a Grab driver.
In an interview on ‘The Men’s Room’ on One News PH, Cuenca shared that he was on his way to visit his close friend Paulo Avelino when several armed men in civilian clothing attempted to stop his vehicle.
He said the men did not appear to be police officers.
“Hindi sila naka-uniform, tsinek ko na naka-shorts, may baril tapos tsinelas,” Cuenca said. “Siyempre, ‘yong jeep dala ko noon, hindi ako titigil. Kung hindi ka pulis, hindi talaga ako titigil lalo na kung naka-shorts sila tapos may baril pa.”
Cuenca said he drove away, believing the men could be armed civilians. Moments later, vehicles began chasing him—an experience he compared to an action sequence.
“No’ng dumiretso ako, bigla akong hinabol na ng mga kotse. As in parang eksena sa Batang Quiapo talaga na nakalabas, pang-pang-pang, ganun talaga,” he recalled. “At the end of this, nakahanap ako ng nine bullets sa gulong ng kotse ko.”
During the pursuit, a Grab driver was struck by a stray bullet. Cuenca said he later met the driver personally and ensured that he received help.
According to the actor, he only found out after stopping that the men chasing him were undercover operatives.
“Nangyari na ang nangyari, tumigil ako, nalaman kong undercover pala sila.”
Reports at the time indicated that police were conducting a buy-bust operation along Shaw Boulevard when they encountered Cuenca’s vehicle. The actor said he only followed his instincts because the men were not in uniform.
“There is an operation going around, and people are just doing their jobs, and I completely understand that,” he said.
He added that he cooperated fully once he realized the situation.
“I followed due process. Hindi ako nanlaban. Hindi ko sila pinahirapan.”
Cuenca also shared that the incident prompted a major personal decision.
“Because of that really big incident, that also pushed me to be sober. Parang nagamit ko rin ‘yong insidenteng ‘yon for my own betterment.”
He emphasized that he was not intoxicated during the encounter and was simply caught in an unexpected situation due to the ongoing police operation.
