Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte said the local government will continue to pursue a fair and unbiased investigation on the road rage incident involving a former policeman and a cyclist in the city last Aug. 8.
The lady mayor made the statement following the resignation of Quezon City Police District (QCPD) director Brig. Gen. Nicolas Torre III.
Torre III filed his resignation on Wednesday, Aug. 30, to give way to the impartial investigation on the incident at the corner of Welcome Rotonda and Quezon Avenue. A video of the incident went viral on social media on Sunday, Aug. 27.
The QCPD chief told Manila Bulletin that his request to be relieved from his post is a personal decision after receiving criticisms from netizens on how the police handled the road rage incident.
He added that he decided to resign so that the issue will not drag the entire Philippine National Police down.
“I respect PBGEN Nicolas D. Torre III’s decision to tender his resignation from his post as the Quezon City Police District Director earlier today. On behalf of the city, I would also like to express my sincere gratitude for the time, effort, and dedication that he devoted to his assignment throughout his tenure,” Belmonte said in a statement on Wednesday.
“Regarding the particular incident that led to Brig. Gen. Torre’s resignation, I understand that missteps are a part of everyone’s journey, and it is the manner in which we address them that truly defines us. His willingness to take ownership of the situation is commendable,” she added.
“Nevertheless, we will continue to pursue a fair and unbiased investigation of this matter. The City Legal Department and the PLEB remain committed to ascertain the truth in pursuit of justice and accountability. At the same time, we trust that the QCPD and PNP leadership, as well as other offices and agencies having jurisdiction over this incident, will undertake the required course of action on the matter as they deem just and proper,” the mayor said.
The road rage incident involving Wilfredo Gonzales, the ex-police officer, and the cyclist occurred at around 6 p.m. on Aug. 8. at the corner of Quezon Avenue and Welcome Rotonda.
The viral video showed Gonzales hitting the head of the victim and pulling out a gun during the confrontation.
Gonzales turned himself in to the QCPD on Sunday.
A press conference was held wherein the former police officer explained that he and the cyclist immediately went to the QCPD Galas Station to talk and settle the issue through an “amicable agreement.”
Netizens criticized the said conference which allegedly gave Gonzales a platform to speak and make the city police look like they were protecting him.
Torre III earlier said that the press conference was held since Gonzales was under his custody and they were investigating the incident.
In a Facebook post on Sunday, lawyer Raymond Fortun posted screenshots of his text conversation with the cyclist, whom he identified as “AB,” who expressed concern for his life as well as the safety of his family.
Belmonte urged the cyclist to come forward and coordinate with them in the investigation, assuring that the local government will give him and his family protection and provide him legal assistance on the incident.
“Mahalaga pa rin para sa lokal na pamahalaan na makapagbigay lunas at maghatid ng hustisya sa biktima, para hindi maulit ang pag-aabuso sa kapangyarihan ninuman sa ating lungsod (It is still important for the local government to provide relief and deliver justice to the victim, so that the abuse of power from anyone will not happen again in our city. ),” Belmonte said.
“Muli ko pong binibigyang diin na walang puwang ang karahasan sa ating lungsod (Again, I emphasize that violence has no place here in our city),” she added.