NO SHOW | LTO says cases of ex-cop in viral road rage video up for resolution

September 1, 2023 , 01:04 PM

By Beatrice Puente

(September 1, 2023) – The Land Transportation Office (LTO) on Friday announced that the cases against the dismissed police officer who went viral for road rage last month have been submitted for resolution after he waived his right to explain his side.

Hanzley Lim, the assistant regional director of LTO in Metro Manila, said Willie Gonzales did not appear in the hearing yesterday but he sent his son to surrender his driver’s license on his behalf.

Before the hearing, the LTO already imposed a 90-day preventive suspension against Gonzales.

“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 in a media release.

On Sunday, the LTO issued a show-cause order to demand an explanation from Gonzales on why he should not be penalized for his violations, which include reckless driving and obstruction of traffic and improper person to operate a motor vehicle.

It also stipulated that Gonzales’ failure to submit an affidavit would mean he already waived his right to be heard on the allegations against him.

“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,” noted Lim.

According to the LTO, the permanent revocation of driver’s license is the maximum penalty that Gonzales could face if found guilty.

In the viral video, Gonzales hit a biker on the helmet before pulling out his gun in an attempt to threaten the latter. The Philippine National Police (PNP) already revoked Gonzales’ firearms permit.

Sen. Ronald Dela Rosa, a former PNP chief, welcomed the revocation of Gonzales’ gun license.

“Hindi ‘yun karapat-dapat. Kahit na sabihin mo panakot lang ‘yun, but still, napakalaki ng impact noon sa nakakita na bumunot ka ng baril, kumasa ka pa, kahit sabihin mo na ‘di mo tinutukan,” said Dela Rosa.

Until now, the cyclist has refused to come out because of fears for his life and his family.

Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte has assured the safety of the biker in the hopes that he will agree to file cases against Gonzales. She vowed not to allow this case “to be whitewashed” because of its grave implications.

“We want to assure the cyclist that we will extend legal assistance, as well as put him and his family in our protection, so that justice is served,” said Belmonte.

As of now, Gonzales only faces alarm and scandal in a complaint by the Quezon City Police District (QCPD), but many people considered it too light compared to his actions.

Brigadier Gen. Nicolas Torre III already resigned from his position as QCPD director after the press conference with Gonzales last Sunday drew flak.

(PM)

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