Senate panel to probe QC road rage next week

The Senate Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs is set to conduct an investigation on 5 September regarding the viral road rage incident that happened in Quezon City, Senator Ronald "Bato" Dela Rosa said over the weekend, as he reiterated his call for the proper use of firearms by gun owners, including uniform officials.

Meanwhile, Dela Rosa commended the Philippine National Police for their decision to revoke the gun privileges of Wilfredo Gonzales, a dismissed cop involved in a viral video, carrying a handgun and threatening a cyclist in Quezon City.

Dela Rosa cited PNP chief Benjamin Acorda who ordered the Firearms and Explosives Office to immediately strip Gonzales of his License To Own and Possess Firearm, Firearm Registration, and Permit To Carry Firearms Outside his Residence.

Authorities also seized three .45-caliber handguns and one 9-millimeter pistol from Gonzales.

Dela Rosa stressed the need for all firearms owners to become more responsible in their actions.

'Yung pagbigay sa'yo ng Permit to Carry Firearms Outside of Residence ng PNP ay ginagamit 'yon pamproteksyon sa sarili mo, hindi panakot or panggawa ng (The PNP, giving you the Permit to Carry Firearms Outside of Residence, is inteded for your protection and not to threaten or commit) aggressive actions against anybody," he added.

"So it just right for the PNP to revoke Gonzales' gun license and permits that were previously given to him," he added.

Gonzales was dismissed from service in 2006 for being charged with an administrative case due to grave misconduct, simple misconduct, and conduct unbecoming of a police officer.

He was then reinstated after he appealed his case before the National Police Commission 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.