Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, September 5) — The former police officer who threatened a cyclist with a gun in a road rage incident in Quezon City said that he was just acting in self-defense, adding that he was also a victim.
Wilfredo Gonzales said biker Allan Bandiola dented the roof of his car after he allegedly punched it while wearing gloves with plastic knuckles on them. He also alleged that the latter mocked and taunted him.
\”Biktima rin ako rito eh. Nawalan ako ng trabaho. Na-ano ako sa social media, mga anak ako, pamilya ko, na kung hindi naman sinuntok yung kotse ko. Siguro yung bangga lang sa bumper ko pagpapasensyahan ko na,\” the 63-year-old dismissed cop said during a Senate panel hearing Tuesday.
[Translation: I was also a victim. I lost my job. My family and I were mocked on social media just because someone punched my car. If it was only my bumper that was hit, I would let that pass.]
But Bandiola denied all the accusations of Gonzales.
Senators also called out the dismissed cop for his claims as the viral video showed that Bandiola was not wearing any gloves.
\”You cannot fool this committee. Very clear yung nakikita sa picture na wala siyang gloves,” said Senator Ronald Dela Rosa.
[Translation: The picture clearly shows that he was not wearing any gloves.]
Bandiola explained that he just tapped Gonzales’ vehicle as it was already occupying the bike lane. He said he had no choice because he would either be hit by Gonzales’ car or he would fall on passengers waiting for a ride.
The viral video showed Gonzales also hit Bandiola’s head during the heated argument.
\”Ang intensyon ko po nun, bumunot ako at kumasa ng baril dahil pasugod po siya sa akin. Kahit i-review po natin yung ano […] dinepensa ko lang po yung sarili ko at 45 degrees lang po\” said Gonzales.
[Translation: My intention for bringing out my gun was because he was about to attack me. You can review the cameras […] I just defended myself and my gun was only at 45 degrees.]
Although he admitted that he planned to retaliate, Bandiola said that the former cop’s action was unnecessary.
\”Eh normal reaction ko lang po yun, binatukan niya ako…Kasi bakit niya ako binatukan? Sabi ko pwede naman niya ako kausapin nang maayos,\” said Bandiola.
[Translation: That was a normal reaction for me because he hit my head…Why does he need to do that? He could have just talked to me nicely.]
Nonetheless, both parties said that they have already settled the issue after the incident happened last month.
Regret
Meanwhile, former Quezon City Police District chief PBGen. Nicolas Torre III admitted that he was wrong for allowing Gonzales to join him in a press conference after the video went viral.
Torre said that Gonzales was just in another room at the QCPD headquarters when he called for a press conference last August 27. So he decided to call the embattled former police officer to join him.
\”I should have done it in a different manner. What I should have done is I made a statement to the media and let Mr. Gonzales go on his way and face the media on his own,\” he said during the hearing.
Torre resigned from the post after receiving flak for holding the press conference. Former Philippine National Police Public Information Office chief BGen. Redrico Maranan is now the acting QCPD director.
Special law
Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri proposed that a special law be created to penalize road rage.
\”Para sa ganun, maski natatakot yung naagrabyado na mag-file ng kaso, it becomes ‘People of the Republic of the Philippines vs. so and so. So it will become a burden of the government to file the case against these individuals,\” he said.
[Translation: Even though the aggrieved party is afraid to file a case, it will be a ‘People of the Republic of the Philippines vs. so and so.’ So it will become a burden of the government to the file the case against these individuals.]
But a road safety advocacy group said that a legal definition of road rage must be established first.
