Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 29) — The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Tuesday filed a complaint for alarms and scandals against Wilfredo Gonzales, the former policeman in the viral road rage incident in Quezon City.
PNP spokesperson Col. Jean Fajardo confirmed this in a public briefing, adding that they are urging the victim to file a separate case of greater gravity – such as for grave threat.
“Hindi lamang po ito ang isasampa nating kaso,” she said. “Yung iniintay lamang natin, sa tulong na rin po ng kanyang abogado, na mag-execute po ng complaint ito pong kanyang biktima para makasuhan din po natin siya ng additional case ng grave threat and other appropriate criminal offense.”
[Translation: This is not the only case we’re filing. We’re also waiting for the victim, with the help of his lawyer, to execute a complaint so we can also file an additional case for grave threat and other appropriate criminal offense.]
Gonzales was filmed hitting a cyclist on the head and drawing a handgun after the latter bumped his car on Aug. 8.
Fajardo said the PNP is ready to provide security to the victim if he requests for it.
According to lawyer and cyclist Raymond Fortun, the victim no longer wants to sue the former cop as he fears for his safety and that of his family.
Meanwhile, Quezon City Police District Director PBGen. Nicolas Torre III urged any other possible witness to work with the police to help bolster the case against Gonzales.
“Kailangan namin ang mas malakas na ebidensya [We need stronger evidence],” Torre said. “Please come forward. Help us, because hindi ito kaya ng pulis lang talaga [the police can’t do this alone].”
In a separate briefing, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said even the local government may file a case against Gonzales since alarms and scandals is a public crime.
Past sanctions
The incident earlier this month was not the first time Gonzales was caught and reprimanded for misconduct.
Fajardo said Gonzales has twice been ordered dismissed by the PNP when he was in service — although the first one was eventually downgraded to a demotion.
“Noong July 2016 nag mandatory retirement ito…Subalit the following year, 2017, may lumabas na dismissal order sa kanya, result po ng isang kaso na nasampa noong 2006 for grave misconduct,” Fajardo said.
[Translation: His mandatory retirement was in July 2016…However, the following year, a dismissal order against him was issued, stemming from a case filed against him in 2006 for grave misconduct.]
Gonzales filed a motion for reconsideration in 2018 but it was denied, which meant his retirement benefits were withdrawn. His rank was Police Officer 1 when he was dismissed.
Before that, the PNP said he was also ordered dismissed in 2006 for grave misconduct, simple misconduct, and conduct unbecoming of a police officer.
He was able to return to service after he challenged the decision before the National Police Commission, which partially granted his appeal in 2012, as it toned town the sanction to a mere one-rank demotion.
After the video of his road rage went viral, the PNP confiscated four guns from Gonzales and revoked his license to own firearms, Fajardo said.
The Land Transportation Office also temporarily suspended his driver’s license pending investigation into the incident.
CNN Philippines’ Gerg Cahiles contributed to this report.
“Kahit hindi pumutok ang baril, kinasa yung baril, tinutok yung baril. Kahit hindi magreklamo yung siklista, people who are alarmed over the occurrence can actually file cases,” Remulla said.
[Translation: Even if the gun wasn’t fired, (if) it was cocked and pointed at someone, people who are alarmed over the occurrence can actually file cases even if the cyclist won’t.]
“Even the local government (can file a case),” he added. “I know the Quezon City local government is very, very interested in filing a case. So, we’ll wait for Mayor Joy Belmonte to probably initiate something.”
