Pickup truck driver suspended over gun threat against tricycle driver in QC

A pickup truck driver has been placed under preventive suspension after allegedly threatening a tricycle driver with a firearm during a road altercation in Barangay San Bartolome, Quezon City on Wednesday.

The incident was caught on video and later uploaded online by MMDA Special Operations Group head Gabriel Go, according to a report by Vonne Aquino on "24 Oras Weekend" on Sunday.

According to tricycle driver Alexander Mata, the confrontation began on a two-way street in Barangay Nagkaisang Nayon, where a parked vehicle blocked the pickup truck’s lane, forcing it to veer into the opposite lane.

“Kinain po niya yung linya ko tapos bumaba po siya, ‘magmatigasan tayo rito, tignan mo ako,’ panong ikaw sir kako ang nakapasok e ako [ang] nakapasok, nasa tamang linya ako,” Mata said.

(He crossed into my lane, then got out and said, ‘Let’s see who’s tougher here, look at me.’ I told him, how can it be you, sir, when I was the one in the proper lane?)

Mata said he initially backed up to let the pickup truck pass, but claimed the driver threatened him and said he would return.

The tricycle driver said he ignored the warning and proceeded to drop off his passenger.

But as he was leaving the subdivision, he encountered the pickup truck again, which allegedly cut him off. The driver then stepped out, carrying a firearm and threatened to shoot him.

“‘Boss wag namang ganiyan’ sabi ko… Sabi niya, ‘Gusto mo lahat ng bala nito iubos ko sa ulo mo?’ Hindi na po ako kumibo,” Mata said.

(I told him, ‘Boss, please don’t do that.’ He replied, ‘Do you want me to empty all these bullets into your head?’ After that, I stayed silent.)

“Nilalakasan ko nga po yung loob ko dahil sa mga anak ko. May takot ako pero pinakikita ko [na] kaya ko,” he added.

(I’m trying to stay strong for my children. I’m scared, but I’m showing him I can handle it.)

Mata said he reported the incident to the Novaliches Police Station 4, but was referred to Barangay San Bartolome, where a hearing had already been conducted.

In Aquino’s report, Mata said he remains determined to press charges and had also sought assistance from the Quezon City Police District’s Criminal Investigation and Detection Unit at Camp Karingal, which later referred him back to the Novaliches police.

The Land Transportation Office has since summoned both the driver and the registered owner of the pickup truck to explain the incident.

The Philippine National Police has also been asked to revoke the driver’s firearm license.

The driver has been placed under a 90-day preventive suspension, while the pickup truck has been placed under alarm.

“Hindi namin hinahayaan ang mga ganiyang tao na nagsisiga-sigaan na naglalabas ng baril,” Assistant Secretary Markus Lacanilao, LTO chief, said.

(We will not tolerate people who intimidate others on the road by pulling out firearms.)

“Oras po na may makitang ganyan, naglalabas ng baril na ’yan, sisiguraduhin ko pong mawawalan ng lisensya ’yan panghabambuhay,” he added.

(The moment we see someone brandishing a gun like that, I will make sure they lose their driver’s license for life.)

The LTO said the pickup driver could face a longer suspension or the permanent revocation of his license, depending on the outcome of the investigation.

GMA News has sought comment from the Novaliches police regarding the incident but has yet to receive a response.—Lyjah Tiffany Bonzo/MCG, GMA News