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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider Metro Manila devider QCPD chief resigns to give way to impartial road rage probe

QCPD chief resigns to give way to impartial road rage probe

Published Aug 30, 2023 06:00 am

Quezon City Police District (QCPD) Director Brig. Gen. Nicolas Torre III resigned from his post to give way to an impartial investigation of the road rage incident where a former police officer physically assaulted a cyclist and also pulled out his firearm at the corner of Quezon Avenue and Welcome Rotonda in the city last Aug. 8.

This was confirmed by the QCPD on Wednesday Aug. 30.

In a phone interview on Wednesday, Torre III told Manila Bulletin  that he requested for his relief as a personal decision after much thought and prayers, following criticisms on social media on how the city police handled the incident, so that it will not drag the whole Philippine National Police (PNP) force down.

The police chief also said he had talked to Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte  before he filed his resignation.

Police said the confrontation between Willie Gonzalez, the ex-policeman, and the cyclist, occurred near the corner of Quezon Avenue and Welcome Rotonda at around 6:00 p.m. on Aug. 8.

The rear portion of the red Kia Sedan driven by Gonzales was hit by the cyclist’s two-wheeled vehicle which led to a heated argument between the two in the middle of the road.

The video of the incident where Gonzales was seen hitting the head and also drawing his firearm in front of the cyclist went viral on social media on Sunday, Aug. 27.

Torre made a Facebook comment on the video asking for the suspect to surrender.

Police said that Gonzales immediately went to the QCPD Headquarters in Camp Karingal after he saw the police chief’s comment.

The city police chief said a press conference was held on Sunday, Aug. 27 , when Gonzales voluntarily presented himself to the police, following requests from the media to interview the suspect.

Gonzales, in the same press conference, said that he was able to talk to the cyclist immediately after the incident which led to an “amicable agreement” to resolve their conflict while they are in the QCPD Galas Police Station (PS 11).

However, netizens criticized the press conference which allegedly gave Gonzales a platform to speak and made it appear that the city police was protecting him

In a DZRH interview on Wednesday, Torre denied that he was protecting Gonzales saying he allowed the press conference since it was just around 30 minutes since Gonzales’ surrender, and he was still investigating the incident and the suspect was under his custody.

Earlier, Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte urged the cyclist involved in the incident to come out and coordinate with the city government in filing the necessary cases. 

She also ordered the QC People's Law Enforcement Board (PLEB) to investigate how the Quezon City Police District handled the case, expressing her “dismay” over the PS 11 for allowing the incident to quickly end in an amicable settlement.

The local government said it is looking into the filing of possible complaints such as grave threat, slander by deed, reckless imprudence, physical injuries, violations of Republic Act 10591 or Absence of a License to Own and Possess a Firearm; absence of Permit to Carry, once the cyclist comes and coordinates with them.

Belmonte assured that they will provide legal assistance to the cyclist and further strengthen the safety of bike lanes and deploy more bike patrols to protect cyclists and maintain safer roads.

Torre III also confirmed to Manila Bulletin that they already filed an alarm and scandal case against Gonzales at the Quezon City Prosecutor’s Office on Tuesday, Aug. 29.


 


 

 


 


 

 


 


 

 


 


 

 

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