Drunk driving? Ateneo to deal with player John Apacible

MANILA, Philippines – Ateneo de Manila University is set to deal with one of its student-athletes John Apacible of the Blue Eagles men’s basketball team, who was caught on video appearing to be drunk and trying to pick a fight with another driver.

In a video posted by Top Gear Philippines on its Facebook account, a male who appeared to be Apacible was seen evidently inebriated as he tried to go after and challenge the person recording the video to a fist fight. He was also yelling expletives throughout the over 3-minute long video as policemen tried to keep him away from the person taking the footage.

The person behind the camera accused Apacible of kicking his car multiple times late in the recording. The person also kept asking why Apacible was being allowed to drive away drunk.

“It has come to our attention that John Apacible, a member of the Ateneo Blue Eagles, behaved in an unacceptable manner,” read the memo from the school’s University Athletics Office, which confirmed online speculation that it was, indeed, Apacible seen on the video and that the encounter happened early Sunday morning, October 19.

According to Top Gear’s post, the incident took place along Timog Avenue in Quezon City.

The person who submitted the video, according to Top Gear’s post, also claimed Apacible assaulted a delivery van driver and was hitting passing cars.

“John deeply regrets his reprehensible behavior and sincerely apologizes to all parties concerned,” added the statement released Monday night, October 19, on Ateneo’s Facebook page.

Apacible was also seen brandishing a “Councilor” plate in the early parts of the video. Top Gear says in its post that “in the Philippines, if you have a protocol plate, you’re allowed to drive drunk and do this for all to see.“

Penalties

However, Republic Act No. 10586 or the Anti-Drunk and Drugged Driving Act of 2013 states in Section 5 that: “It shall be unlawful for any person to drive a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol, dangerous drugs and/or other similar substances.“

Penalties vary – depending on the result of such act – from fines of as low as P20,000 to as high as P500,000. Three (3) months imprisonment is also a possible penalty as well as the confiscation, suspension, or revocation of the driver’s license.

The school gave assurances it will “deal with this regrettable incident appropriately and swiftly.”

Apacible is a 6-foot-4 forward seeing limited minutes for the Blue Eagles in UAAP Season 78 and is playing on his second year.

– with contributions from Michael Bueza/Rappler.com