2023 Welcome Rotonda road rage incident

As a result of public outcry, the sedan driver surrendered to the QCPD at their headquarters in Camp Karingal within the day and was identified as Wilfredo "Willie" Gonzales, a 63 year old former officer of the Philippine National Police (PNP) assigned at Anonas Police Station (Station 9) of the QCPD along Anonas Street, Quezon City. Gonzales was previously ordered dismissed by the Office of the Ombudsman along ten others in 2000 for their involvement in a bribery case involving drug trafficking suspects[11] and has since been involved in two administrative cases before being ordered dismissed by then-PNP chief Oscar Albayalde on June 7, 2018.[14] Gonzales was also previously demoted and had gone on retirement in 2016, two years before his dismissal, in which his retirement benefits were canceled.[15]

A press conference was held by QCPD chief PBGen. Nicolas Torre III at Camp Karingal, where Gonzales acknowledged his error for pulling out his firearm but denies pointing it at the cyclist. Gonzales alleged that he and the cyclist had already reached a settlement, as Torres appealed to the public for "compassion" and to "stop crucifying" Gonzales.[15][3] Responding to public outcry towards the incident, Gonzales had urged the public "to be responsible" in sharing the video footage of himself online, appealing for sympathy and asserting that he himself had brought the cyclist to the police.[4]

After the Department of Justice (DOJ) initially denied public rumors that Gonzales was an employee of the DOJ, the Supreme Court of the Philippines released a statement on August 30 indicating that Gonzales was a "coterminus employee" of the office of Associate Justice Ricardo Rosario and that his employment was terminated on August 27 following the incident.[16]

On August 28, the PNP stated that the Gonzales' permit to carry firearms and his firearms license and registration have been revoked due to the incident and reminded gun owners to be responsible with the use of their firearms. The 9 mm caliber Glock 17 semi-automatic pistol which he used in the incident alongside three registered 45 caliber firearms were confiscated from Gonzales and turned over to the PNP Firearms and Explosives Office.[5]

Following the press conference, the LTO disclosed that Gonzales was not the registered owner of the Kia Rio that he was driving during the incident. As a result, the unidentified registered owner has also been summoned to the LTO for explanation. Gonzales currently faces four traffic violations: obstruction of traffic, operating a vehicle to commit a crime, and reckless driving under Republic Act No. 4136 or the Land Transportation and Traffic Code, and disregarding of traffic signs under Joint Administrative Order 2014-01.[7] The LTO has also recommended to put the Kia Rio under alarm effective immediately,[11] and issued a 90-day preventive suspension on Gonzales' driver's license ahead of his scheduled August 31 appearance before the LTO.[17]

On September 1, the LTO issued a press release stating that Gonzales did not appear during the scheduled August 31 hearing, stating that Gonzales had instead sent his son to surrender his driver's license. The LTO also stated that Gonzales did not submit a notarized affidavit, waiving his right to hear and contradict the allegations against him. As a result, the LTO announced that the agency will decide on his case with only the available evidence.[10]

On September 7, the LTO stated that the driver's license of Gonzales was effectively revoked due to the incident and suspended Gonzales from re-applying for a license for two years. The LTO clarified that a permanent revokation of a driver's license is reserved for incidents that cause death.[1]

On August 28, Mayor Belmonte issued a new statement ordering an investigation on how the QCPD handled the case, stating that she will not allow the case to become "whitewashed". She also appealed to the cyclist to come forward to hold Gonzales accountable, and assured that the city will provide legal assistance and protection. The city government is seeking to charge Gonzales for grave threat, slander by deed, reckless imprudence, physical injuries, and violation of the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act. In the meantime, she assured that the city will strengthen the safety of its bicycle lanes and deploy more bike patrols.[9] Interior and Local Government secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. also vowed that the National Police Commission will monitor the PNP's response and handling of the incident.[18]

On August 29, four QCPD police officers from the Galas Police Station have filed a complaint for alarm and scandal against Gonzales at the Quezon City Office of the Prosecutor. The QCPD has asserted that its officers "acted professionally" and denied allegations that its officers had coerced both parties into a settlement.[19]

On August 30, Torres issued a public apology and stepped down from his position as QCPD chief to give way to the investigation and in response to online criticism aimed at the QCPD for giving "VIP treatment" to Gonzales.[20]

On September 5, six QCPD officers consisting of three officers at the Galas Police Station and three officers from the QCPD District Traffic Enforcement Unit were relieved of duty and reassigned to give way to the ongoing police investigation.[12]

Raymond Fortun, a lawyer and fellow cyclist who helped raise awareness for the cyclist's situation, offered to provide legal assistance. Fortun stated that in the settlement, the cyclist, who wished to remain anonymous at the time, was forced to admit fault and pay ₱500 to Gonzales for damages to his car. He also mentioned that the cyclist was afraid to continue pursuing the case in fear of his life, and that the individuals who uploaded footage of the incident online had taken them down after being verbally threatened by Gonzales.[4][3][8]

On September 5, Senate president Migz Zubiri and Senator Pia Cayetano filed Senate Resolution No. 763, seeking to investigate the incident. The resolution also draws importance to drafting legislation to promote the responsibility of road sharing, protect road users from road rage, and the need for physical barriers on bicycle lanes to protect cyclists. Senator JV Ejercito also sought an inquiry into the road rage incident through Senate Resolution No. 764,[21]while Senator Jinggoy Estrada delivered a privilege speech on the incident, calling Gonzales a "danger to the cycling, commuting, or riding public".[22]

A Senate hearing on the issue was held by the Philippine Senate Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs headed by Senator Ronald dela Rosa on September 5, 2023,[23][24] where both Gonzales and the cyclist, who was publicly identified as Allan Bandiola, were in attendance. Bandiola had repeatedly declined requests for interviews and initially declined to appear before the Senate out of fear for his safety. He also reiterated that he was not forced by anyone to enter into a settlement with Gonzales.[2]

During the hearing, Gonzales accused Bandiola of punching the roof of his car with gloves that contained plastic knuckles. This was refuted by Senator Ejercito who pointed out that Bandiola was not wearing any gloves in the video footage. Both he and Dela Rosa also stated that the kind of gloves Gonzales was referring to are not used by cyclists and are commonly used by motorcycle riders, being a rider himself. Dela Rosa agreed with Ejercito, and warned Gonzales not to lie to the Senate committee.[2]

It was revealed during the hearing that Gonzales was also the subject of 10 police complaints, one of which included a neighborhood complaint accusing him of assault. As a result, the Senate questioned how Gonzales was given a gun license in the first place, with Dela Rosa stating that Gonzales should have been charged for grave threats and frustrated homicide instead of the lighter offense of alarm and scandal.[2]