LTO suspends license of driver in viral road rage video

The Land Transportation Office (LTO) on Tuesday said it has issued a 90-day preventive suspension on the driver's license of Wilfredo Gonzales, the former policeman who was caught on video pulling out a gun during an altercation with a cyclist.

“Ang ipinataw nating preventive suspensyon ay isang mabilis na aksyon mula sa inyong LTO upang matiyak na hindi na niya uulitin ang nangyaring pananakit at paglabas ng baril sa isang bicycle rider,” said LTO Chief Assistant Secretary Atty. Vigor Mendoza II.

(The preventive suspension that we imposed is a form of quick response from the LTO to ensure that he will not do a similar action.)

Mendoza said the LTO has the power to temporarily suspend Gonzales’ license under Section 27 of Republic Act or the Land Transportation and Traffic Code.

He also clarified that this is not the “final decision” and that more penalties may be imposed depending on the outcome of the investigation.

“Kasalukuyang ini-imbestigahan ang kasong ito at depende sa outcome ng pag-iimbestiga, maaring permanent revocation at lifetime na hindi na siya maiisyuhan ng driver’s license,” he said.

(This is currently being investigated and depending on the outcome, the revocation of his license may become permanent and he will no longer be issued a license.)

The LTO will also summon Gonzales and ask him to explain his side on why the agency should not permanently revoke his license.

Mendoza added that the office of Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista has also been informed.

In the video, Gonzales cursed at, hit, and pulled out his gun after a cyclist hit his car with his bicycle.

He surrendered to the authorities on Sunday and said that he and the cyclist had settled the matter and had come to an agreement. However, the cyclist’s lawyer said the deal was forced.

The Philippine Nationa Police has canceled Gonzales' gun license, firearm registration, and permit to carry. The three guns under his name have also been confiscated.

Earlier, Quezon City Police District (QCDP) chief Police Brigadier General Nicolas Torre III said the QCPD is set to file an alarm and scandal complaint against Gonzales.

According to Torre, the video of the incident that went viral on social media will be used as evidence.

Torre called on the cyclist to come out and cooperate with the police.

Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte on Monday ordered an investigation on how the QCPD handled the case.

“We want to assure the cyclist that we will extend legal assistance, as well as put him and his family in our protection so that justice is served. I will not allow this case to be whitewashed,” said Belmonte in a statement.

Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos also said Gonzales should be slapped with criminal charges.

"For the sake of a peaceful and orderly society, we cannot allow a culture of impunity. We cannot allow bullies to just go around intimidating people with deadly weapons. There must be consequences here," Abalos said.

—VAL, GMA Integrated News