LTO revokes driver's license of ex-cop in road rage incident

The Land Transportation Office (LTO) has revoked the license of Wilfredo Gonzales, the dismissed police officer who threatened a cyclist with a gun during a viral road altercation.

In a resolution dated September 5, the LTO found Gonzales liable for multiple traffic violations including Section 27 (Improper Person to Operate Motor Vehicles) of Republic Act 4136, or the Land Transportation and Traffic Code, resulting in the revocation of his license for two years.

A copy of the resolution has been forwarded to the Department of Transportation.

“Respondent-driver's acts of having no due diligence in driving, which caused the incident that resulted in the destruction of the property of the victim, is considered unacceptable behavior of a driver. Taken as a whole, his actions are tantamount to the acts of an Improper Person to Operate a Motor Vehicle, which is punishable under Section 27 (a) of R.A. No. 4136,” the resolution read.

“Respondent Gonzales is hereby declared as an Improper Person to Operate Motor Vehicles. Hence, his driver's license which is valid until 07/08/2024, is hereby ordered revoked and he is disqualified from securing a driver's license and driving a motor vehicle for a period of two years from issuance of this Resolution,” it added.

In a viral video, Gonzales was seen cursing and pulling out his gun against a cyclist in an apparent road altercation.

The LTO previously issued a show cause order against the suspect, which he received on August 28, demanding him to explain why he should not be penalized for four violations under the Land Transportation and Traffic Code, which include reckless driving, obstruction of traffic, and improper person to operate a motor vehicle.

However, the suspect was a no-show at the scheduled hearing on August 31 and was instead represented by his son.

“Mr. Gonzales did not submit an affidavit so we take it as a waiver on his part for us to decide on the matter based on the pieces of evidence we have,” said Lim.

A show cause order (SCO) was issued against Gonzales, which he received on August 28, demanding him to explain why he should not be penalized for four violations under the Republic Act 4136, or the Land Transportation and Traffic Code, which include reckless driving, obstruction of traffic, and improper person to operate a motor vehicle.

The LTO-NCR said failure to submit a notarized affidavit “would be deemed as a waiver to hear and contradict the allegations against the latter.”

“With the absence of the notarized affidavit, these cases were already submitted for resolution and whatever the results, they will be submitted to the office of our LTO Chief, Assistant Secretary Vigor Mendoza II, for approval,” said Lim.

According to the Quezon City Police District (QCPD), the altercation between Gonzales and the cyclist happened on August 8 but the viral video of the incident surfaced on social media on August 27.

The former cop surrendered to authorities on Sunday afternoon.

At a press briefing on Sunday, Gonzales said he and the cyclist went to a police station following the incident and settled their differences.  —NB, GMA Integrated News