Sen. Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito revealed on Tuesday, September 5, that the former police officer in the viral gun-toting incident in Quezon City has been involved in 10 various charges in the past as well as incident reports from his barangay.

Former Police Officer Wilfredo Gonzales faces the Senate Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs inquiry into the August 8, 2023 road rage incident on Tuesday, September 5, 2023. (Senate PRIB Photo)

The cases include obstruction, perjury, robbery, frustrated homicide, grave and light threats, coercion, and violation of Presidential Decree No. 1866.

During the public hearing of the Senate Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs chaired by Sen. Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa, Ejercito questioned how Wilfredo Gonzales acquired a permit to carry firearms from the Philippine National Police (PNP) despite having “anger management issues” and a history of multiple cases in his barangay.

“Base sa mga impormasyon na nakalap natin, mukhang may anger management problem itong si dating pulis na si Wilfredo Gonzales. Ang dami ho niyang kaso doon po sa barangay kung saan siya nakatira (Based on the information we received, it looks like former police officer Wilfredo Gonzales has an anger management problem. He has a lot of cases in the barangay where he lives),” Ejercito disclosed.

He emphasized the importance of the PNP Firearms and Explosive Office evaluating the anger management of individuals seeking firearm permits.

“When you're granted a license to carry firearms or own firearms, especially a permit to carry firearms outside of residence, there should be a psychological test and neuro test. They (PNP) should check for anger management,” he said.

“Importante kasi ito because we have to find out kung ano ‘yung proseso ng PNP at kung bakit nakakalusot (This is important because we have to find out what's the PNP's process and why some get away with this),” he pointed out.

Last week, Ejercito filed a resolution seeking to investigate the road rage incident that occurred in Quezon City last August involving a cyclist and a dismissed police officer, wherein the latter assaulted and held the former at gunpoint.

The investigation aims to assess and review the effectiveness of existing laws and regulations in safeguarding and ensuring safe road usage for all, the resolution read.

Ejercito believes that it is imperative to determine the necessity of crafting legislation to prevent road rage as well as to protect civilians using public roads against violence.

Ejercito also reminded the public to be extra patient when riding or driving in the metropolis.

“Noong nagsimula akong magbisikleta at mag-motor, naiintidihan ko na po na kapag nakakakita ako nang nagbibisikleta o nagmomotor na nagde-deliver, lahat po ‘yan may pinagdadaanan, lahat po ‘yan may challenges sa kalye (When I started cycling and motorcycling, I finally understood that when I see delivery bikers or riders, all of them are going through something, all of them are facing challenges in the streets)” the lawmaker said.

“We have to accept na hindi pa talaga safe ang ating pathways,” he added.

During the hearing, Gonzales claimed that he was a victim too, and that he pulled out his gun during his argument with the cyclist, Allan Bandiola, out of self-defense.

“Biktima rin ako dito eh. Nawalan ako ng trabaho. Na-ano ako sa social media, mga anak ko, pamilya ko (naapektuhan),” Gonzales told senators during the hearing.

Ejercito had also pointed out that Gonzales was once commended for being a whistleblower in a drug recycling case before.

But Gonzales said that even though he got lauded for his action, he struggled in his career after testifying against a fellow police officer who was eventually convicted in a drug case.

“Magmula po noon, katakot-takot na po naging kalbaryo ko sa serbisyo. Kahit madami po akong medalya, tinutumbasan naman po ako ng 14 na kaso. Kinasuhan po ako ng kung ano-ano (Since then, I struggled so much while in the service. Even though I am a bemedalled officer, they slapped me with 14 charges. They invented many cases against me),” the former cop said.

When Sen. Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa asked why he was not promoted during his service in the police organization, Gonzales said he was exonerated when he was dismissed.

According to the PNP, Gonzales was dismissed from the service in June 2018 for grave misconduct.

But Dela Rosa said Gonzales should have been slapped with more serious complaints, including frustrated homicide or even graver offense of alarm and scandal.

“Baka pwede pang graver offense like grave threat kasi talaga matthreat ka naman talaga pag binunutan ka ng baril (Graver offense like grave threat should be filed against him because anyone can really be threatened when somebody pulls out a gun on you), or frustrated homicide,” Dela Rosa stressed. (With reports from Hannah Torregoza)