Grave threat, alarm and scandal raps filed vs driver in Valenzuela road rage —PNP

The SUV driver allegedly involved in the recent road rage and gun-toting incident in Valenzuela City is now facing grave threat as well as alarm and scandal complaints, the police said on Monday.

In a press conference, Valenzuela Police Chief Police Colonel Salvador Destura Jr. identified the SUV driver as businessman Marlon Malabute.

“Criminal complaints of grave threats, in relation to RA 10591 and violation of article 155, under revised penal code, alarm and scandal, have been filed against Malabute, before the Valenzuela City Prosecutor’s Office,” Destura said.

The police also urged Malabute to surrender his firearm as his permits have already been revoked.

In a video taken on August 19, the SUV driver allegedly pulled out, cocked a gun, and pushed taxi driver Herminio Daez Ong Jr. at around 1:22 am.

The police identified the SUV driver through information from the original and second owner of the concerned SUV.

On Friday, Ong positively identified Malbute as the person who threatened him during the altercation.

The police conducted operations in Caloocan City and Manila to capture Malabute but they were not able to find him in the addresses that were given to them.

“Wasting no time, progress and operatives of the station, immediately conducted follow-up operations at Bagumbong Road, Caloocan City, and Gagalangin, Tondo, Manila,” Destura said.

“However, Marlon Malabute was nowhere to be found in the said addresses, and believed to have gone into hiding after he knew the said incident went viral in the media,” he added.

Meanwhile, Ong spoke with GMA News, and in Oscar Oida's 24 Oras report, the taxi driver explained that he did not immediately report the incident to authorities as the altercation had frightened him.

"Hindi na nga po nakakabiyahe at nagkaroon ng takot at nagkaroon na nga po ng kaiunting sakit... tulad po ng high blood, tumaas ang sugar dahil sa insidente kakaisip," said Ong.

(I haven't been able to work, and I was frightened. And I also fell a little ill... myblood pressure and my blood sugar rose because of the incident.)

Ong recounted how his and the suspect's vehicle collided glancingly in the wee hours of the August 19.

"Huminto po kami at bumaba po kami. Pagbaba niya po ay galit na siya. Tapos pagbalik niya po may dala na siyang baril," said the cabbie.

"Nagmura po siya. Tapos 'yun nga po, nagkasa siya ng baril."

While police filed the alarm and scandal complaint against Malabute, Ong  filed the grave threat against the suspect.

"Sana sumuko na lang siya," said Ong.

(I hope he just turns himself in.) — DVM, GMA Integrated News