The man who allegedly poked a gun at a taxi driver in a road rage incident in Valenzuela City on Aug. 19 surrendered to Mayor Weslie "Wes" Gatchalian on Tuesday, Sept. 12.
On Monday, Sept. 11, Gatchalian urged the gun-totting man, Marlon Malabute, to surrender after his license to carry firearm was revoked by the Firearms and Explosive Office (FEO) due to his involvement in a road rage incident that happened at around 1 a.m. on Aug. 19.
The suspect allegedly shoved and pointed his gun at taxi driver Henry Ong Jr. after his SUV collided with the latter's taxicab on Faustino St. in Barangay Puturin.
A video clip of of the incident circulated on social media.
In a press conference on Tuesday, Gatchalian said the gun used by Malabute in the altercation is now the custody of FEO.
Malabute refused to entertain questions from members of the media during the conference.
Lawyer Eliza Barquez, Malabute's counsel, said they will answer the accusation against his client "in a proper forum."
Valenzuela police said they have confirmed that Malabute was the owner of the vehicle seen in the video of the incident.
“Nagkaroon tayo ng backtrack investigation, 'yun nga, lumalabas sa investigation natin na siya 'yung huling nag mamay-ari nung Fortuner (We had a backtrack investigation, and it turns out that he was the last owner of the Fortuner),” said Valenzuela City Police Station (VCPS) deputy chief Maj. Randy Llanderal.
The city mayor expressed disgust over the incident.
“Nakakainis ho, nakakainit ng ulo (It’s irritating, frustrating),” he said.
He commended the Valenzuela police for their swift action on the incident.
“Unang una po, nais ko pong ipaalam sa aking mga kababayan na hindi natin tino-tolerate dito sa Valenzuela ang ganitong crime o ganitong mga tao (First and foremost, I want to inform my fellow citizens that we do not tolerate this type of crime or these kind of people here in Valenzuela),” Gatchalian stated.
He also clarified that the city strictly implement several laws, including the motor vehicle regulations and local ordinances.
He also added that there is no room for unruly behavior in Valenzuela City, and all motorists should be responsible regardless of any reason.
READ:
https://mb.com.ph/2023/9/11/mayor-wes-urges-gun-toting-man-in-valenzuela-road-rage-to-surrender