Cyclist on viral road rage speaks out in Senate: 'Lagyan nila ng pangil 'yung batas'

Allan Bandiola, the cyclist in the viral road rage incident has showed up before the Senate Committee to detail the whole ordeal during the Public Order and Dangerous Drugs hearing on Tuesday, Sept. 5.

Bandiola narrated that on Aug. 8, he was riding along Welcome Rotonda, Quezon City en route to his home from work. 

“Nasa loob po ako ng bike lane, biglang pong may pumasok na isang kotse,” he recalled. And since the lane was too narrow, he decided to precede before the red sedan, which was driven by ex-cop Wilfredo Gonzales, but was later caught up by the latter, causing them to go side-by-side. 

"Nung time po na 'yun nagitgit na po ako sa gilid," he said, noting that he decided to tap Gonzales’ car to signal him that he is in the wrong lane. He also added that he did it since he would either clash with the latter’s car or hit the bystanders who were waiting for a ride. 

Senator Bato Dela Rosa clarified whether his move left damage in Gonzales' car, to which Bandiola denied. 

"Kung nabangga ko siya, masusubsob ako. Maliit lang po kamay ko, hindi ko kayang yupiin 'yun," he said.

Despite this, Bandiola accidentally scratched Gonzales’ car with his bike handle given their distance. 

In the viral video, Gonzales was seen getting out of the vehicle, slapping Bandiola's helmet, and then threatening him by cocking his gun. 

Police officer Adan, who responded at that time didn’t arrest Gonzales since he claimed he did not see him carry the gun. 

"Sabi nila, wala silang nakitang baril. Hindi nila pwedeng arestuhin si Mr. Gonzalez" Bandiola recalled. "Sinabi ko po sa kaniya, pero sabi nila wala silang nakita." 

He initially thought of pressing charges against Gonzales but chose not to and offered to just settle the incident by paying damages to the latter’s car.  

“Napag-isip-isip ko, malaking abala na sa kin ‘to e, unang una walang kasama ‘yung mga anak ko sa bahay, wala ‘yung misis ko,” he said. 

 “Naisip ko, wala namang mawawala sa ‘kin kung magpapakumbaba ako, tutal wala namang nangyari sa ‘kin,” he said, adding that he paid P500 pesos as his first payment for damages.  

Gonzales, for his part, expressed his apologies, but stressed that he was also “a victim.” 

“Humihingi ako ng kapatawaran na di ako nakapagpigil na mabatukan sya. Masakit sakin na suntukin ang kotse ko at dirty finger sa mukha ko,” he said. Bandiola denied doing such a thing, as seen with his bare hands in the viral video. 

However, Sen. Allan Cayetano rejected Gonzales' defense, saying that it was not an act of a responsible gun owner.  

“Hindi ko matatanggap. Kasi gun owner tayo, responsible, bawal yan. Hindi mo dapat nilalabas yan,” the senator said.  

Despite the altercation, Bandiola reiterated that he has already forgiven Gonzales, but stressed that there must be strong traffic laws against violating the bike lane. 

“Napatawad ko na po sya. Maluwag na po sa dibdib ko,” he emphasized, noting that he prioritizes the safety of his family.  

“Siguro masasabi ko lang d’yan Your Honor, lagyan nila ng pangil ‘yung batas ng bike lane, dapat i-respeto po nila,” he stressed. 

“Kasi kung meron po talagang nirerespeto ‘yung bike lane, wala pong papasok [na sasakyan] doon e, “ he added. 

Dela Rosa said they are still studying what penalty should be imposed on road rage, with life imprisonment as one of his options. (With reports from Cecile Suerte-Felipe)