Belmonte orders probe vs. QCPD over viral cyclist case

Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte on Monday ordered an investigation on how the Quezon City Police District handled the case of the driver who was caught on video brandishing a gun against a cyclist, saying she will not allow the case to be whitewashed. 

Belmonte’s order to the QC People's Law Enforcement Board (PLEB) came after driver Wilfredo Gonzales said he and the cyclist had already settled the matter and had come to an agreement.

"We are appealing to the complainant to come forward so that Willy Gonzalez, whom I consider a menace to society, is held accountable,” Belmonte said in a statement.

“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,” she added.

Belmonte said the the cyclist may be afraid as he had gone against someone from the government.

Gonzales surrendered to authorities on Sunday after a video where he cursed at, hurt, and pulled out a gun at a cyclist went viral on social media.

“This culture of impunity is not acceptable in QC and I have a duty and responsibility to maintain peace and order in our city and to send a strong message that acts such as those committed shall not be tolerated and that he must be held accountable,” Belmonte said.

She said that should the cyclist come forward, the LGU is seeking to file complaints such as grave threat, slander by deed, reckless imprudence, physical injuries, and violation of Republic Act 10591 or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act.

Meanwhile, Belmonte said the LGU will strengthen the safety of bike lanes and deploy more bike patrols.

"We would like to reassure the cycling community and all our citizens for that matter that the city is willing to exhaust all means to demonstrate to them that we will act in their interest and in the pursuit of justice," she said.

Earlier, QCPD chief Police Brigadier General Nicolas Torre III said it is up to the cyclist if he wants to file a complaint.

“Nasa sa kanya po 'yun. Wala pong pumipigil sa kanya. Ang settlement naman 'yan, anytime kung gusto niya umatras, at gusto niya magbago ng isip, e di walang problema po ‘yun,” Torre said in an interview on Unang Balita.

(It is up to him. There’s nothing stopping him. There will be no problem if he wants to take back or change his mind regarding the settlement.)

Torre said he has yet to talk to the cyclist. However, he said he would reach out to the cyclist to request him to file a complaint.

“Ire-request namin na mag-file na today para matapos na ang alingasngas na sinasabi ayaw daw i-file ng pulis,” Torre said.

(We’ll request him to file today to end allegations that the police don’t want to.)—Joahna Lei Casilao/AOL, GMA Integrated News