Gun-toting driver surrenders to Quezon City Police District

MANILA, Philippines — A motorist seen in a viral video striking a cyclist and drawing a gun on him near the Welcome Rotonda in Quezon City on Aug. 8 surrendered to the Quezon City Police District (QCPD) yesterday.

Willie Gonzales’ surrender came hours after lawyer and avid cyclist Raymond Fortun shared the video uploaded by Facebook user Mr. BI Vlogs.

Other reports identified Gonzales as a retired policeman.

QCPD director Brig. Gen. Nicolas Torre III said in a dzBB interview that he earlier urged the motorist to surrender after learning about the viral video. He confirmed that Gonzales surrendered to the nearest QCPD station.

The video showed Gonzales, driving a red sedan, cutting into the path of the cyclist along the bicycle lane, striking him on the head and drawing a gun on him.

The video was cut short when the one filming the incident noticed that Gonzales had drawn a gun.

Case settled

Torre, in a press conference at Camp Karingal yesterday, said Gonzales – who was seated beside him – was brought to the QCPD’s anti-car theft unit to verify the license plate number of his red Kia Rio, ULQ-802.

Gonzales and the cyclist – who has not been identified – signed an agreement to settle the case on the same day the altercation happened, according to Torre.

Gonzales, as part of his surrender, turned over his Glock 17 pistol and the vehicle involved in the incident to the QCPD.

Torre said police will ensure that Gonzales’ license to own and possess firearms will be revoked.

Should the cyclist decide to sue Gonzales, the motorist might face charges of light or grave threats and illegal possession of firearms, Torre said.

‘Be responsible’

During the same press conference, Gonzales called on social media users to be responsible for sharing the viral video.

“They didn’t see the whole thing, how it started (and) that’s hard,” he said.

Gonzales also said that he realized that “it was a mistake that I pulled out and cocked the gun even though I didn’t point it at him.”

He denied claims by Fortun that the cyclist is seeking to file criminal charges against him.

“The truth is I was the one who called the police because he wanted to escape again. It was a long pursuit,” he said but did not elaborate.

Belmonte orders probe

Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte has directed the QCPD and the QC Law and Order Cluster to investigate Gonzales.

“The city government strongly condemns this gun-pointing incident against a cyclist which happened in Welcome Rotonda,” the city government said in a statement last night.

The city government said the QCPD was ordered to review footage taken by closed-circuit television cameras in the area during the incident.

“It has always been the advocacy of the city government to keep our bike lanes safe for all cyclists. There is no space for violence in Quezon City,” the city government said.

Land Transportation Office chief Vigor Mendoza, on the other hand, said a show-cause order was issued against Gonzales.

“We assure the public of our swift action on the matter. In as much as we want to immediately impose sanctions based on the viral video, we have to observe and respect due process and this includes a fair conduct of investigation,” Mendoza said. — Elizabeth Marcelo, Bella Cariaso