NAPOLCOM employee nabbed for alleged gun threat vs TNVS driver

A transport network vehicle service (TNVS) driver has vowed to file charges against a man who allegedly pointed a gun at him and threatened him following a minor vehicular collision along EDSA early Saturday morning.

The complainant, identified as 42-year-old Rene, reported the incident to police after the altercation with a 59-year-old man who allegedly introduced himself as an employee of the National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM).

According to a report by Jomer Apresto on "24 Oras Weekend" on Saturday, the incident stemmed from a minor sideswipe collision along the northbound lane of EDSA near the Asian Development Bank (ADB) exit in Mandaluyong City.

Rene said he was attempting to change lanes when the suspect did not yield, resulting in the collision. He also alleged that the other driver was using a mobile phone while driving.

Personnel from the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) responded to the incident and directed both vehicles to pull over along a portion of EDSA within Quezon City's jurisdiction.

However, the situation escalated after the drivers got out of their vehicles.

The victim claimed that the suspect suddenly drew a firearm and threatened him, prompting him to flee and seek assistance from police officers stationed nearby.

Authorities later arrested the suspect and brought him to the Mandaluyong City Police Station.

Police recovered a 9mm firearm and a NAPOLCOM identification card from the suspect.

Police Col. Reynan Patam, Mandaluyong police chief, said investigators are still verifying whether the man is indeed a NAPOLCOM employee.

Authorities are also checking the status of his firearm registration and are awaiting the results of a breathalyzer test to determine whether he was under the influence of alcohol at the time of the incident.

The suspect declined to issue a statement.

Meanwhile, NAPOLCOM Commissioner Rafael Vicente Calinisan condemned the actions of the purported employee allegedly involved in the incident.

Calinisan said he had ordered an investigation and assured the public that NAPOLCOM would cooperate with authorities in the conduct of the probe and in the filing of any appropriate charges.

He also apologized to the TNVS driver and stressed that the alleged behavior of the suspect was unacceptable and did not reflect the values upheld by the commission.—MCG, GMA News