Senate bent on finding truth behind road rage
COMMITTEE on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs chairperson Sen. Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa presided over the public inquiry Tuesday, September 5, 2023 into the recent road rage incident involving a cyclist and a dismissed police officer in Quezon City.
Dela Rosa said his committee is determined to uncover the truth behind the August 8, 2023 incident which will contribute to forming recommendations and crafting laws aimed at ensuring the safety of all road users.
“The Senate is not a court of law and we cannot impose punishment on Mr. Willie Gonzales or Mr. Alan Bandiola. However, the committee can play a role in uncovering the truth,” Dela Rosa said.
Sen. Alan Peter S. Cayetano who was present during the hearing called for integrity in ensuring the safety of all Filipinos on the streets.
Cayetano said it is unfortunate that a crisis is needed to happen before “we act to find a solution.”
“Safety is very simple and very basic that our countrymen need on the street,” he added.
“Hopefully this crisis will lead to some good and I am begging the House of Representatives to look into it, and maybe it can also be included in the legislative agenda of the President because safety is the major issue of our parents,” the senator said as he also called for integrity of all gun owners following the August 8 road rage incident in Quezon City involving a dismissed police officer and a cyclist.
Former Police Officer Wilfredo Gonzales was present during the committee hearing as well as a number of bikers who gave their strong support to Alan Bandiola, the biker involved in a road rage incident in Quezon City.
Bandiola narrated what transpired during the August 8 incident when a red sedan driven by Gonzales tried to go into the bike lane.
“Nagitgit po ako sa lane ko kaya tinapik ko ang sasakyan niya dahil babagsak po ako sa isang by-stander,”Bandiola narrated.
Bandiola said he tried to avoid the Sedan car but Gonzales drove into his lane prompting him to graze the behicle with his handlebar. Irked Gonzales went out of his car slapping Bandiola and poking his gun towards the cyclist.
It was also revealed that the police who investigated the incident failed to arrest Gonzales because the two of them decided to patch up their differences.
Senator Joseph Victor Ejercito Estrada revealed during the hearing the gun-toting incident of Gonzales and as he bares the history of anger management problems of the dismissed in the past with 10 previous charges as well as reports from his barangay.
The cases include obstruction, perjury, robbery, frustrated homicide, grave and light threats, coercion and violation of Presidential Decree No. 1866.
Ejercito questioned Gonzales during the hearing how he was able to acquire a permit to carry firearms from the Philippine National Police despite having anger management issue and a history of multiple cases in barangay.
Ejercito emphasized the need for the PNP to evaluate the anger management of any individual seeking firearm permits.
The senator from San Juan also reminded the public to be extra patient when riding or driving in the metropolis.
A cyclist himself, Ejercito said everyone has the right to be on the road so long as they follow the rules of law.
Senator Pia Cayetano, also a cyclist and the principal sponsor of Safe Pathways Act which is now renamed to Walkable and Bikeable Cities Act admitted that cyclist are not getting enough protection and are often being abused by most motorist.
” Nuon ang pananaw ng mga driver sila may ari ng kalsada.Yun Talaga. O alis kayo dyan sa kalye. Parang walang Karapatan ang mga siklista sa kalye. Unti unti ngayon naiintindihan na rin ng mga driver na hindi pala sila may-ari ng kalye. But it requires a change of perspective na ma realize nilang I have to share the road. Ako rin kasi nahampas ko rin ang sasakayn , kung nag cut ako. Makakahampas ka lalo feeling mo Buhay mo ang nakataya,”she narrated.
She insisted the need to have this kind of regulations that will give bikers an exclusive lane as she urged the need to share a portion of the road.
“Sharing is caring,” Sen. Pia Cayetano said.
Senator Robinhood Padilla reminded the ex-cop that a handgun is not a weapon that is used to feel fearless.
“Hindi yan pang opensa. Hind yan isang bagay na prang nakainom lang ng gin ang tapang mo na pag may baril ka,”Padilla said.
Padilla said the behavior of Gonzales is never acceptable, “because gun owners should always be responsible. Tapos na ang Panahon ni Jesse James.”Padilla said.
