VACC lauds SC’s sacking of ex-cop in viral road rage incident

The Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption (VACC) on Saturday lauded the Supreme Court’s (SC) move to dismiss the former policeman, who pulled out a gun during a road altercation with a cyclist.

In a statement, VACC president Arsenio “Boy” Evangelista commended the “prompt” move of Supreme Court Associate Justice Ricardo Rosario to dismiss ex-cop Wilfredo Gonzales —a member of the associate justice’s staff.

On Wednesday, the SC confirmed that Gonzales was immediately terminated as a coterminous employee at the Office of Associate Justice Rosario.

Justice Rosario does not condone any form of violence or abusive behavior, the high court said in a statement.

With this, Evangalista said that “to many citizens on the brink of disillusionment about the country’s slow-grinding and sometimes unfair justice system, what the SC magistrate did gave them good reason for hope.”

“To anti-crime advocates and crusaders for good governance, Justice Rosario’s action was a game changer towards attaining principled and swift justice in this country,” the VACC chief said.

“He found no justification in Wilfredo Gonzales’ dangerous act of physically assaulting an unarmed cyclist and then pulling out his gun and cocking the pistol towards the other guy,” he said.

“Whether or not it was the cyclist that provoked the altercation, the High Tribunal magistrate delivered what he believes is the highest standard of justice that Filipinos deserve.  This he did quietly and without a speck of propaganda fanfare,” Evangelista said.

The VACC chief also lauded Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo and the entire membership of the High Tribunal for “upholding the decision” of Rosario to dismiss Gonzales.

In the video, Gonzales cursed at, hit, and pulled out his gun after a cyclist hit his car with his bicycle.

The Quezon City Police District (QCPD) filed alarm and scandal complaints against him on Tuesday.

Gonzales surrendered to authorities on Sunday after the video went viral. He said he and the cyclist had settled the matter and had come to an agreement, though the cyclist’s lawyer said the deal was forced.

The Philippine National Police has revoked his gun license, firearm registration, and permit to carry. The three guns under his name have also been confiscated.

Meanwhile, the Land Transportation Office issued a 90-day preventive suspension on his driver’s license while the investigation against him is ongoing.

QCPD chief Police Brigadier General Nicolas Torre III has also resigned from his post to show that he is not protecting anyone. —VAL, GMA Integrated News