PNP vows stricter Comelec checkpoints after Antipolo road rage incident

The Philippine National Police (PNP) will enforce stricter Comelec checkpoints following the road altercation that led to fatal shooting in Antipolo City, GMA Integrated News’ Unang Balita reported Tuesday.

At the border of Antipolo City and Marikina City, many police personnel were manning the checkpoints.

PNP chief Police General Rommel Marbil said personnel from the Highway Patrol Group (HPG) will also be deployed at Comelec checkpoints.

The Comelec checkpoints have been set up in light of the election gun ban, which is effective until June 11.

As of Wednesday, PNP records showed that a total of 2,056 individuals have been arrested for violating the election gun ban. A total of 2,147 firearms have been seized.

Marbil proposed the perpetual disqualification of those involved in gun-related offenses from renewing a License to Own and Possess Firearms (LTOPF) and firearm registration.

He also recommended the revocation of their existing LTOPF and firearm registration, ensuring that those who have demonstrated reckless behavior will no longer be allowed to legally own firearms.

“Gun ownership is a privilege, not a right, and those who abuse this privilege by endangering others will face the full force of the law,” Marbil said in a statement on Monday.

“Whether during the election period or not, we must all uphold responsible firearm ownership to prevent senseless violence,” he added.

Road rage

The road rage incident occurred Sunday afternoon on Marcos Highway in Antipolo City and escalated into a shooting, initially leaving four people injured, including the shooter’s partner.

The shooter, identified as 28-year-old businessman Ken, was arrested.

On Monday, the Antipolo Police said that one of the injured riders died while undergoing treatment at the hospital.

The suspect may face complaints of murder and multiple frustrated murder.

The suspect said he was driving fast because he was trying to catch up with their convoy. He denied driving close to the motorcycle riders and said that it was the riders who were getting close to his vehicle.

"Pagkahinto po sa akin, pinagmumura kaagad nila ako (When I pulled over, they immediately cursed at me)," the suspect said in a report of GMA Integrated News’ EJ Gomez on Unang Balita on Monday.

He said he got out of his vehicle and the brawl with the riders started.

Based on a video of one of the riders, the suspect's vehicle is seen suddenly appearing from the right side of the road and almost hit one of the motorcycles, according to the Unang Balita report.

The son of one of the wounded riders said the suspect was driving so recklessly that one of their motorcycles almost fell over. The rider chased after the suspect. He said the suspect hit the rider first.

The suspect said that the riders ganged up on him and claimed one of the riders was about to pull out a gun during the altercation.

"Yung matanda po huminto sa akin bubunutan po ako ng baril. Bilang gun owner din ako mati-trigger po ako sa ganun. Saka ko po kinuha yung baril sa sasakyan. Tapos bigla pong sumugod pa sa akin yung matanda doon ko na po siya natamaan," the suspect said.

(The old man who stopped me was about to pull out a gun. As a gun owner, I would be triggered by that. Then I took my gun from the car. Then the old man suddenly rushed at me and I shot him right there.)

The suspect's claim was denied by the rider's son. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News

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