LTO suspends driver's license of gun-toting ex-cop in viral road rage incident
The driver's license of the former policeman caught cocking a gun during a road altercation with a biker in Quezon City has been revoked by the Land Transportation Office (LTO).
The revocation, which the agency announced on Sept. 7, was imposed on ex-cop Wilfredo Gonzales for his violation of four traffic laws, including Section 27 (improper person to operate motor vehicles) of Republic Act No. 4136 or the Land Transportation and Traffic Code.
“Respondent-driver’s acts of having no due diligence in driving, which caused the incident that resulted in the destruction of the property of the victim, is considered unacceptable behavior of a driver," LTO wrote in a statement sent to reporters.
"Taken as a whole, his actions are tantamount to the acts of an Improper Person to Operate a Motor Vehicle, which is punishable under Section 27 (a) of R.A. No. 4136. Respondent GONZALES is hereby declared as an Improper Person to Operate Motor Vehicles (Sec.27(a) of R.A. No. 4136)."
In addition to the suspension of his license, LTO penalized Gonzales with a fine of P1,000 for "disregarding the traffic sign" when the ex-cop "encroach[ed] into a bicycle lane and [blocked] the driver as shown in the video."
The offender is mandated to pay another fine of P1,000 for "obstruction of traffic" where the incident occurred, as well as P2,000 for "reckless driving" when he "cut across the lande of the incoming cyclist."
LTO chief Assistant Secretary Vigor Mendoza II stated that "the grant of a license to drive is a privilege that carries with it important duties and responsibilities, paramount of which is the respect and obedience by its holder to traffic laws and regulations, and to the authorities charged with its enforcement."
He furthered that Gonzales' actions "undeniably show that he abused such privilege and failed to comply with the conduct necessary for the continued possession and enjoyment of the said privilege."
With the suspension, Gonzales will not be allowed to drive in Philippine roads for two years and can only re-apply for a license afterward, beginning from the initial steps of application.
In an interview with Rapper on Thursday, Mendoza said that Gonzales' license was only suspended for two years as permanent revocation is only applicable to incidents that cause death.
Prior to the two-year suspension, the ex-cop was given a 90-day preventive suspension following the road altercation. Gonzales was also a no-show during the LTO hearing for his case, with his son representing him and surrendering his father's driver's license instead.
LTO's move comes almost a month after the altercation involving Gonzales and cyclist Allan Bandiola took place in Welcome Rotonda in Quezon City on Aug. 8. In the video of the incident which went viral later that month, the ex-cop is seen hitting the cyclist’s helmet and immediately drawing out a gun and cocking it after the cyclist cut his lane.