Valenzuela City Mayor Weslie "Wes" Gatchalian on Monday, Sept. 11, called on the man who threatened to shoot a taxi driver with a gun in a road rage incident in Barangay Punturin, Valenzuela City, to surrender to the authorities.
The road rage occurred along Faustino Street in the said barangay at around 1 a.m. on Aug. 19.
A video of the incident was shared by lawyer Raymond Fortun on his Facebook page on Sept. 5.
The video showed the suspect, businessman Marlon Malabute, getting off his white Toyota Fortuner sports utility vehicle (SUV) while holding a gun. He then pointed his gun at taxi driver Henry Ong Jr. of Barangay Bignay, Valenzuela, and shoved him before he returned to his car and left.
The taxi driver fell to the ground after he was pushed by the suspect.
Valenzuela City Police Station (VCPS) said that based on a closed circuit television (CCTV) footage it obtained, the SUV tried to overtake the taxicab causing the two vehicles to bump into each other, which led to an argument between the two drivers.
During investigation, the operatives were able to identify the suspect and get a lead on his whereabouts since the plate number of the SUV was clearly seen in the video.
However, the operatives failed to locate Malabute when they went to his known addresses in Caloocan and in Tondo, Manila.
In a press conference on Monday, VCPS chief Col. Salvador Destura said Malabute was believed to have gone into hiding after learning that the incident went viral on social media.
The city government said the Philippine National Police (PNP) Firearms and Explosives Office (FEO) verified that Malabute is a licensed gun holder and the registered owner of a 9mm Girsan pistol.
Destura said that Malabute is now being ordered to surrender his firearm as his permits have been revoked by the FEO following their investigation on the incident, or he may be subjected to a police operation for violation of Republic Act (RA) 10591(The Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Act).
The local government also said that based on Land Transportation Office (LTO) records, Malabute was registered as the third owner of the SUV.
On Sept. 8, the VCPS coordinated with the taxi driver and a witness who positively identified Malabute as the gun-toting man in the road rage incident.
During the press conference, the taxi driver said he coordinated with the authorities to ensure the safety of his family as the incident already circulated on social media.
He added that he got frightened after the incident which affected his work as a taxi driver as well as his health.
The city police chief said that criminal complaints for grave threats in relation to RA 10591 and violation of Article 155 of the Revised Penal Code (alarm and scandal) have been filed against Malabute before the Valenzuela City Prosecutor's Office.
The VCPS deployed four tracker teams to pursue and locate Malabute and urged those who have any information to coordinate with them.
To help in the investigation, Gatchalian said he intends to intensify the conduct of checkpoints, even though a gun ban is currently being implemented in the city until November 29.
He ordered the authorities to place additional CCTVs, streetlights and police checkpoints on roads connected to the neighboring cities of Valenzuela.
"As of reporting, Malabute is still being sought for questioning regarding the incident. If Malabute is proven guilty, he will be charged with grave threat," the city government said.
“Nais po nating ipaalala sa lahat ng gun owners na ang license na ibinigay po ng gobyerno is a privilege. You know, 'yung mga ganito [pagkakaroon lisensya] is a privilege na binibigay to a chosen few. [Sana'y] gamitin po natin ito nang wasto (We want to remind all gun owners that the license given by the government is a privilege. You know, having a gun license is a privilege given to a chosen few. So we hope you use it properly)," Gatchalian said.
He said that the city may offer legal and medical assistance to the taxi driver.
“Tayo po ay nanawagan muna na lumabas na ho at lumitaw na ho sana 'yung assailant natin, si Ginoong Marlon Malabute no. At through there malalaman natin how this case will prosper later on at doon na lang natin aralin what other assistance ang pwede nating ibigay kay sir Henry (We first called for the assailant, Mr. Marlon Malabute, to appear. And through there we will know how this case will prosper later on and only then will we learn what other assistance can we give to Sir Henry),” the mayor said.
The mayor and the city police chief also reminded residents not to be afraid to ask for help from authorities in case they get involved in similar road incidents.