Senate, House probes on viral ex-cop road rage video sought

Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri and Senator Pia Cayetano have filed a resolution seeking to investigate the viral road rage incident involving a former cop and a cyclist in Quezon City. 

“This is a serious case involving public order and safety, which cannot simply be settled amicably and swept under the rug,” Senate Resolution 763 read.

“The issue also highlights the safety of cyclists on the road, and the issue of road sharing, a concept that remains ignored by and alien to many Filipino motorists, which means that one must share in the responsibility of ensuring everyone’s safety, as everyone has an equal right to access public roads,” it further stated.

In the video taken on August 8, 2023, the former cop identified as Wilfredo Gonzales pulled out a gun during his altercation with the cyclist.

In the resolution, the lawmakers highlighted Sustainable Development Goal 11 on Sustainable Cities and Communities that aims to make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable.

“[I]t is vital that we protect our cyclists traversing in traffic through the provision of physical barriers to ensure their safety, which is encapsulated in Senate Bill No. 1290, entitled the Walkable and Bikeable Communities Act,” the resolution read.

Apart from Zubiri and Cayetano, Senator Jinggoy Estrada, during the Senate session Tuesday, also delivered a privilege speech seeking an investigation into the same incident.

“We must not accept this culture of impunity to continue, especially on our public roads. Clearly, Mr. Gonzales is a danger to the cycling, commuting, or riding public,” Estrada said.

After Estrada’s speech, Zubiri said there should be charges filed against people who are involved in this kind of road rage.

“We should prohibit this type of road rage in our society because grabe na itong klaseng ganitong road rage. Buti nakunan ito ng video. I'm sure araw-araw may ganitong klaseng road rage. And we should teach these people a lesson kung ano ba ang pwedeng isampa na kaso laban sa kanila,” the Senate President said.

Gonzales surrendered to authorities on Sunday afternoon.

Quezon City Police District (QCPD) said Gonzales had surrendered his gun and car and these were taken into custody by the authorities. 

 The Land Transportation Office (LTO) on has also issued a 90-day preventive suspension on his driver's license. 

In a press briefing on Sunday, Gonzales said he and the cyclist went to a police station following the incident and settled their differences.

Lawyer Raymond Fortun, however, said that the cyclist was forced into an agreement admitting that the incident was his fault and was told to pay P500 for the damage to Gonzales’ car.

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

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

Following this, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said it is planning to file more criminal charges, including a complaint for grave threat against Gonzales.

Quezon City Police District (QPCD) chief Police Brigadier General Nicolas Torre III has resigned from his post to give way to the investigation, according to Super Radyo dzBB's Allan Gatus' reported on Wednesday.

Torre was quoted as saying in the report that he wants to show that he is not covering up for anyone and he is willing to uncover the truth in the incident.

The resignation will be effective on Thursday, the report said. 

House probe

Meanwhile, 1-Rider party-list representatives Bonifacio Bosita and Ramon Rodriguez also filed a resolution seeking a House probe on incident involving the former cop.

“The act of brandishing a gun in front of the cyclist is a form of coercion and abuse of authority, authority that the dismissed police officer no longer holds, yet he still feels entitled to. Nakakadismaya na mismong mga tagapagpatupad pa ng batas ang naninindak at nang-aabuso,” the lawmakers said.

Aside from the altercation involving Gonzales, House lawmakers also want to look into a June 2023 incident also in Quezon City where a prosecutor harassed and hit a motorcycle rider with his gun.

“The actions exhibited by the Ouezon City Prosecutor and dismissed police officer are not isolated incidents as there are other individuals in government who abuse their authority and privilege of owning and carrying firearms in public. The audacity of these individuals to exert intimidation using firearms stem from a culture of impunity that should not be condoned,” they added.

“Now, therefore be it resolved by the House of Representatives, to direct the Committee on Justice and Public Order and Safety to conduct an inquiry, in aid of legislation, on the recent gun-toting incidents of individuals in government against two-wheeled riders,” the lawmakers added. —with Llanesca T. Panti/ VAL, GMA Integrated News