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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider LTO explains why gun-toting ex-cop only got 2 years revocation of driver's license

LTO explains why gun-toting ex-cop only got 2 years revocation of driver's license

Published Sep 8, 2023 07:02 am
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(Screenshot taken from LTO Facebook page)

The driver’s license of former policeman Wilfredo Gonzales, who went viral for pointing a gun at a bicycle rider, was only revoked for two years because nobody got injured or died during the incident, the Land Transportation Office (LTO) said on Friday, Sept. 8.

Earlier, the LTO announced that Gonzales was found liable for the four charges leveled against him in connection with his confrontation with a bicycle rider in Quezon City, leading to the revocation of his driver’s license for two years. The charges against him include reckless driving, obstruction of traffic, and improper person to operate a motor vehicle.

“Ang tanong sa akin is bakit two years? Kasi po, ayon sa batas Republic Act 4136, ang mapapataw na parusa sa mga ganitong mga problema ay up to four years revocation [of driver’s license] if there is death or injury (They’re asking me, why two years? It is because, according to Republic Act 4136, the punishment we can give to this is only up to four years of revocation [of driver’s license] if there is death or injury),” LTO chief Vigor Mendoza II explained during a press briefing.

He stressed that if there is no death or injury, the LTO cannot give the full extent of the punishment provided by law.

“So iyon po ang aming naging basehan kasi wala naman hong death or injury. Ang nagpa-aggravate po dito [ay] iyong paglalabas po ng baril that aggravated matters all together (So that is our basis because there’s no death or injury. The act of pulling out a gun, that aggravated matters all together),” Mendoza said.

The LTO-NCR issued a Show Cause Order (SCO) against Gonzales on Aug. 28 after a video of him went viral for pointing a gun at a bicycle rider during an altercation in Quezon City.

The SCO has directed the former cop to appear in a hearing and explain in a notarized affidavit on why he should not be held liable for the violations that also include violation of the Joint Administrative Order 2014-01 (Disregarding Traffic Sign), violation of Section 54 of RA 4136 (Obstruction of Traffic), and violation of Section 48 of RA 4136 (Reckless Driving).

Despite the SCO issued against Gonzales, he did not attend the hearing nor submit a notarized affidavit. He instead sent his son to represent him in surrendering his driver's license in connection with the 90-day preventive suspension imposed by the LTO.

Failing to submit a notarized affidavit would be considered a waiver to hear and dispute the allegations leveled against the latter, the LTO stated in the SCO.

Related  Story: (https://mb.com.ph/2023/9/7/lto-revokes-driver-s-license-of-ex-cop-in-viral-road-rage-video)

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