Bato lauds PNP for stripping gun privileges of ex-cop in viral video
SEN. Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa commended the Philippine National Police for its decision to revoke the gun privileges of Wilfredo Gonzales, the dismissed policeman shown in a viral video carrying a handgun and threatening a cyclist in Quezon City.
Firearms and Explosives Office (FEO) Chief Brig. Gen. Paul Kenneth Lucas said that Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Gen. Benjamin Acorda ordered the FEO to immediately strip Gonzales of his License To Own and Possess Firearm (LTOPF), Firearm Registration (FR) and Permit To Carry Firearms Outside Residence (PTCFOR).
In the same video, Lucas also showed and identified the specific firearms that were seized from Gonzales including three .45-caliber handguns and one 9-millimeter pistol.
According to news reports, Gonzales was dismissed from service in 2006 due to grave misconduct, simple misconduct and conduct unbecoming of a police officer.
He was then reinstated after he appealed his case before the NAPOLCOM in 2012 with rank demotion as penalty.
In June 2018, according to Acorda, the ex-cop was again dismissed due to oral defamation and gun-toting.
Dela Rosa on Wednesday gave his reaction about the incident and commended the PNP for their immediate and necessary action to revoke the gun licenses of Gonzales.
“Hindi ‘yon katanggap-tanggap sa isang sibilisadong society. Hindi pupwede ‘yung gano’n. Gagamit ka kaagad ng baril. Hindi ‘yon karapat-dapat.
Kahit na sabihin mo pantakot lang ‘yon, but still, napakalaki po ng impact no’n sa nakakita na bumunot ka ng baril, kumasa ka pa, kahit sabihin mo na ‘di mo tinutukan,” Dela Rosa said.
The Senate Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs, led by Dela Rosa, will hold the investigation on the viral incident at 10 am on Tuesday, September 5, 2023.
