Gun-toting driver in QC road rage faced multiple complaints before

Wilfredo Gonzales, the former cop who figured in a road rage incident in Quezon City last month, has faced various cases and even complaints in the barangay where he is residing.

Senator JV Ejercito presented a summary of Gonzales' cases during the public hearing held by the Senate Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs on Tuesday.

Ejercito asked how Gonzales was given a license and a permit to carry firearms outside his residence when it seems that the former cop has an anger management problem.

"[Paano] ho makakapasa itong si Mr. Gonzales, unang-una sinabi na ni Mr. Chair dismissed po siya na pulis (how can he pass when he is a dismissed policeman), pangalawa (secondly), it seems that Mr. Gonzales has an anger management problem," Ejercito said.

"Sa barangay lang po nila, marami hong blotter concerning Mr. Willie Gonzales (In their barangay, there's a lot of blotters concerning Mr. Willie Gonzales). And I have with me here summary of cases of Mr. Gonzales, parang ano ito sampu... Mayroong robbery, frustrated homicide, obstruction, perjury, robbery, frustrated homicide, grave threat, violation of PD 1886, grave coercion and light threats. May grave threat, may light threat..." he added.

Bimbo Dela Cruz, former captain of Barangay Quirino 3-A in Anonas, Quezon City, said that during his time, there were three complaints lodged against Gonzales.

"During my time po, way back 2018, noong naupo po ako bilang bagong barangay captain, during my time po tatlo lang po 'yung nakarecord sa amin (During my time, three were on the record)," Dela Cruz said during the hearing.

Dela Cruz mentioned one complaint against the former cop where Gonzales allegedly strangled an individual.

"Ang kuwento po nito, to make it short, pumarada po siya (complainant) sa harap ng HQ, headquarters ni Ma'am Kate Coseteng para humingi ng medical assistance. Pagdating sa harap, pinuntahan daw po siya ni Sir Wilfredo Gonzales at pinalipat niya 'yung motor, humingi naman siya ng pasensya, bigla na lang daw po siyang sinakal pati rin po 'yung anak niya na kasama po," Dela Cruz recalled.

(The story here is that the complainant parked in front of the headquarters of Ma'am Kate Coseteng to ask medical assistance. Mr. Wilfredo Gonzales approached him and asked him to transfer his motorcycle. The complainant asked for apology but Gonzales allegedly strangled him and his child.)

Meanwhile, it was also mentioned in the hearing the time where Gonzales was commended for being a whistleblower in a drug recycling case in the police organization before.

However, Gonzales said that even he was lauded for his action, he experienced struggles in his career after that.

"Magmula po noon, katakot-takot na po naging kalbaryo ko sa serbisyo. Kahit madami po akong medalya, tinutumbasan naman po ako ng 14 na kaso. Kinasuhan po ako ng kung ano-ano," Gonzales said.

(Since then, I have experienced struggles in the service. I have lots of medals but they also slapped me with 14 charges.)

Senator Ronald "Bato" Dela Rosa also asked Gonzales why he was not promoted during his service in the police organization.

"Ang haba ng panahon na 'yun hanggang nakapagretire ka, ang ranggo mo PO1 pa rin? Bakit hindi ka napromote? Kaya ka di napromote siguro, ang daming kasong hinaharap mo," Dela Rosa said.

(It's a long time until you were able to retire. Why are you not promoted? Maybe you're not promoted because you are facing a lot of cases.)

In response, Gonzales said, "Kasi ganito po 'yun, kasi ito nga ho... Exonerated po ako noong nadismiss po ako eh."

(I was exonerated when I was dismissed from the police service.)

Gonzales was dismissed from the Philippine National Police in June 2018 for grave misconduct. 

Dela Rosa said Gonzales should be slapped with more serious complaints, including frustrated homicide. 

"Frustrated homicide or even graver offense... alarm and scandal..." Dela Rosa told reporters after the Senate hearing.

"Kasi ngayon alarm and scandal lang ang nafile ng pulisya. Baka pwede pang graver offense like grave threat kasi talaga matthreat ka naman talaga pag binunutan ka ng baril or frustrated homicide," he added. 

(Right now, the complaint is only alarm and scandal. Perhaps, a graver offense like grave threats may be filed because when a gun is pulled out on you, you'd really be threatened. Or frustrated homicide.) — RSJ/NB, GMA Integrated News