QCPD chief to reach out to cyclist in viral video for possible filing of charges

The Quezon City Police District (QCPD) will reach out to the cyclist who was involved in an altercation on August 8, which video footage went viral on social media over the weekend, for the possible filing of charges against the car driver who apparently cursed, hurt, and pulled out a gun at him.

In an interview on Unang Balita, QCPD chief Police Brigadier General Nicolas Torre III said they are waiting for the cyclist to file a complaint against the car driver identified as Wilfredo Gonzales.

“Sa totoo lang wala namang case closed [o] case solved kasi alam natin kung nasaan ang suspect, alam natin kung ano ang kanyang ginawa. Hinihintay na lang natin ang complainant kung itutuloy niya ang kaso na ito at gusto niya magsampa ng reklamo,” Torre said.

(To be honest, there is no case closed or case solved because we know the whereabouts of the suspect. We know what he did. We are just waiting for the cyclist to file a complaint.)

The QCPD chief said the cyclist can still pursue criminal charges against Gonzales despite the latter’s claim that they had agreed to settle.

“Nasa sa kanya po iyon. Wala pong pumipigil sa kanya. Ang settlement naman na iyan, any time kung gusto umatras, at gusto magbago ng isip e walang problema po ‘yon,” Torre said.

(It is up to him. No one is preventing him from filing charges. Settlements can be withdrawn if the victim changes his mind and decides to file complaints.)

As of the moment, Torre said the cyclist has yet to seek police assistance on the case.

“Wala pa nga e. Naghihintay ako. Ang naririnig ko lang sa social media at may mga abogado. At least may abogado siya. Ko-contact-in naming ngayon at ire-request namin na mag-file ng complaint today para matapos na ang alingasngas na sinasabi na ayaw raw i-file ng pulis,” he said.

(We haven't heard from him yet. I am waiting for him. What I am hearing is the statements on social media and he has a lawyer. At least he has a legal counsel. We will contact him today and we will request him to file a complaint so we can stop criticisms that the police officers are not keen on filing charges against the involved individual.)

“Hindi makagalaw ang pulis kung walang complainant pero it appears na si Atty. Raymond Fortun may mga post sa Facebook at sinasabi niyang public crime. So today we’ll reach out to him,” he added.

(We cannot do anything if there is no complainant but it appears that Atty. Raymond Fortun posted on Facebook that it was a public crime. So today, we'll reach out to him.)

On Sunday, Gonzales surrendered to the authorities and said that he and the cyclist had settled the matter and had come to an agreement.

He added that he was the one who brought the matter to the police.

Torre also defended the holding of a press conference for Gonzales and denied that he was lawyering for the car driver.

“Sa anong pagkakataon na ako’y naging abogado ni Gonzales? Bakit daw? Hindi ko kasi nakikita ang social media sa ngayon e medyo may ginagawa, maraming gawain,” Torre said.

(In what instance did I lawyer for Gonzales? What is their basis in claiming that? I cannot see what they say about me on social media because I have a lot of things to do.)

According to the QCPD chief, Gonzales surrendered to him at Camp Karingal after he posted about the matter on social media.

“Bakit nag-host ng press conference para kay Gonzales?  Ang totoo n'on… nang makita niya ang post ko sa social media sumurrender siya sa akin dito sa Camp Karingal. Nalaman ng mga mamamahayag, dumating dito [ang media]. Andiyan sila sa labas ng opisina ko, si Gonzales nasa loob. Anong gagawin ko? 'Di ba?” he said.

(Why did I host a press conference for Gonzales? The truth is when he saw my post on social media, he surrendered to me here at Camp Karingal. The media learned about that and they went here. They were waiting outside of my office while Gonzales was inside. What should I do? Right?)

“Ang tanong agad ng media, ‘Sir, pwede ba makausap si Gonzales?’ Anong gagawin ko? Tinanong ko si Gonzales, ikaw ba gusto mo magsalita? Edi pagsalitain sa harap ng media,” he added.

(The media were asking me if they could talk to Gonzales. What should I do? I asked Gonzales if he wanted to speak before the press. That's why I let him talk to the media.)

If they did not allow Gonzales to talk to the media, Torre said they might be accused of protecting the car driver.

Although he received criticisms, Torre said they understand the public’s sentiment, adding, “It goes within territory.”—AOL, GMA Integrated News