OFF THE BEATEN PATH
He was dismissed from service. Without any doubt, Wilfredo Gonzales should be the PNP’s poster boy of what a gun owner shouldn’t be. But to our great surprise and disbelief, he surrendered three guns allegedly in his possession. What begs to be asked is this – how could a dismissed cop be given a License to Own and Possess Firearms (LTOPF) and Permit to Carry Firearms Outside Residence (PTCFOR), that according to news reports, was only revoked post incident?
Appearing before the media, Gonzales looked less than contrite and could hardly mask his annoyance that a public mea culpa had to be made to show that the PNP was doing its job and that, all was to be forgiven and forgotten. Once again, the all-time favorite hit “kawawa naman ang pamilya ko” was played. Gonzales couldn’t emphasize it enough but he wanted the public to move on fast because of the written settlement that he was proud to have secured from his probably coerced victim. Add to this was the appeal of QCPD chief Brig. Gen. Nicolas Torre III for “compassion” and for the public to “stop crucifying” Gonzales.
What makes the unbelievable even more unthinkable was his claim that we, the quick-to-judge public, have no idea as to what really transpired. I wonder, what back story is he referring to? Is there a behind the scene incident that the video was unable to capture and one that justifies his actions? What we heard was an often told story, complete with evidence and the requisite family mention.
How many bullies are there really? People who think that complainants can be bullied, evidence can be tampered or lost, quit claims and waivers are not even worth the paper they are printed on, and that one can brandish a gun in broad daylight against a biker, fellow motorist or poor unsuspecting victim whose only fault was to have inconvenienced him on a day when his mood wasn’t exactly chipper. Sadly, he is just one of many who think that their public in flagrante delicto moment is good for only one news cycle.
DILG Secretary Benhur Abalos couldn’t have said it better. Criminal cases should be filed against the perpetrator even if the victim won’t testify. Senator JV Ejercito’s own position that the ex-cop should be charged with grave threat should serve as a warning to those who think that the government relinquishes its rights when peace has already been bought or forcibly obtained from the aggrieved party.
On a more personal note, I am a biker and have been for at least 35 years. Gonzales’ mock apology hit a sore spot because once again, the biker is being victimized by the same bully who after hitting him on the head, went on to brandish a gun and proceeded to ask him to sign a supposed settlement, with the victim paying damages in the amount of ₱500. Imagine what went on in the mind of the poor biker. Imagine the insanity of asking him to pay his attacker with what was probably the only money he had left in his pocket.
There must be a special place in jail reserved for one whose impunity can only be outweighed by the downright insanity of his actions.
Off they go
The poll period for the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) started last Aug. 28, with candidates from 42,029 barangays filing their Certificates of Candidacy (COC) for the positions of barangay chairman, kagawad and SK. The last day for filing is on Sept. 2 so my advice to the would-be candidates is file early because it gets really crowded during the last two days before the deadline.
There is a long list of reminders and must do’s that I will discuss in this space. Please keep your questions and concerns coming. Please don’t forget, there’s a gun ban being enforced from Aug. 28 till Nov. 29, 2023.
Off The Beat: Some have requested a song from Senead O’ Connor. Sharing an old mix I did way back in December 18, 2020 using 12” vinyl. Equipment used: Technics SL-1200 turntables & Allen & Heath 23 mixer.
Listen to the mix here:
https://www.mixcloud.com/goyolarrazabal/mh-live-80s-downtempo-201218-goyo/
Playlist: 1. Don’t Make Me Over – Sybil; 2. Nothing Compares 2 U – Senead O’ Connor; 3. Make It Easy On Me – Sybil; 4. I Love Your Smile – Shanice; 5. Too Many Walls – Cathy Dennis; 6. Loving You – Massivo; 7. Lovely Day – S.O.U.L. S.Y.S.T.E.M.; 8. Friends – Amii Stewart; 9. Human Nature – S.W.V.; 10. Ain’t No Mountain High Enough – Diana Ross; 11. In the Living Years – Mike & The Mechanics; 12. That’s The Way Love Goes – Janet Jackson