Quezon City Police District director Brig. Gen. Redrico Maranan has ordered the relief of six police officers who were involved in the road rage incident last Aug. 8 involving a former policeman and a cyclist near the corner of Welcome Rotonda and Quezon Avenue in Barangay Don Manuel in the city.
He issued his order immediately after he formally took over as the city police chief on Monday, Sept. 4.
The six police officers -- three personnel from Galas Police Station (PS 11) and three operatives from the District Traffic Enforcement Unit (DTEU) -- were relieved from their posts to give way to a fair and impartial investigation being conducted and to determine possible lapses in handling the investigation, Maranan said.
According to the police report, a heated argument between Wilfredo Gonzales, the ex-policeman, and the cyclist happened around 6 p.m. on Aug. 8. This was after the bicycle of the cyclist suddenly hit the rear portion of Gonzales' red KIA RIO sedan.
A video of the incident showing Gonzales hitting the cyclist and pulling out a handgun went viral on social media, garnering criticisms from netizens.
It was reported that the cyclist and Gonzales were first brought to the QCPD Kamuning Traffic Sector 4 office before being transferred to the Galas Police Station.
Gonzales, earlier said that he and the cyclist agreed to settle their conflict.
However, lawyer Raymond Fortun shared some screenshots text messages and written statements with the cyclist on Facebook, saying that the biker was asked to pay P500 for the damages on Gonzales' car and also received threats from the police.
QCPD said the relieved policemen were immediately reassigned to the District Personnel Holding and Accounting Section (DPHAS) effective September 4, 2023, pending the investigation.
Maranan pledged to maintain a safe and peaceful community in Quezon City.
He said that as members of the city police force, respect for citizens, the organization, oneself, and one's family is essential for fostering positive relationships and community safety.
"Sama sama nating patutunayan na ang pulis QC ay laging respetado ang mamamayan (Together, let us prove that QC police always respect the citizens)," he said during his assumption of post at the QCPD Social Hinirang Hall, Camp Karingal, Sikatuna Village, Quezon City on Monday.
"We are here to serve, protect, and uplift our community in every way possible" he added.
Maranan was appointed acting QCPD director, succeeding Brig. Gen. Nicolas D. Torre III, who resigned from his post to give way to the investigation on the road rage incident.