Gun-toting ex-cop in viral road rage incident apologizes, claims self-defense

Wilfredo "Willie" Gonzales, the dismissed police officer in the viral road rage incident in Quezon City, has apologized for pulling out and cocking his gun at an unarmed cyclist.

During Tuesday's investigation of the Senate Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs into the viral road rage incident, Gonzales admitted that he assaulted cyclist Allan Bandiola during their altercation near Welcome Rotonda in Quezon City last month.

"I apologize for that part – for hitting him in his head and for pulling out and cocking my gun at him. I apologize to everyone, not just [to Bandiola], but to all of you. It was my fault. I was shocked," Gonzales told lawmakers.

The dismissed police officer, who has yet to return his separation pay despite being ordered to do so, claimed that he did such an act to defend himself from Bandiola.

"In my mind, I must defend myself because I have yet to recover from my spine operation. He admitted that he attacked me. For me, it was solely to shock him so could not hit me," he said.
"If he catches me, he might kill me because I am still weak. I am yet to cover from my operation," he added.

For his part, Bandiola confirmed that he planned to retaliate after being hit by Gonzales.

"It was my normal reaction because he hit me in the head. That is why I got off my bike," he said. "He could have just talked to me."

'Gloves with hard knuckles'

Meanwhile, Senator Joseph Victor "JV" Ejercito asked Gonzales about his claim that Bandiola was wearing gloves with hard knuckles during their altercation last month, which the latter allegedly used to cause a dent in his car.

"Mr. Gonzales claimed that Mr. Bandiola was wearing gloves for motorcycles that had knuckles. Is that correct?" Ejercito asked.

Gonzales replied, "Yes."

Ejercito then asked Bandiola whether he was wearing gloves, which the latter denied.

Bandiola's claim was validated by a screencap from the now-deleted viral incident, shown during the Senate panel's investigation.

This prompted Senator Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa, who presides the hearing, to interrogate Gonzales.

"Mr. Gonzales, this picture won't lie. He was not wearing any gloves. Now, you are making stories that he was wearing gloves with hard knuckles. Look at it," Dela Rosa said.

Gonzales stood by his claim that Bandiola was wearing gloves, stressing that police who responded to the incident could prove his claim.

"The police who were there can prove that he was wearing gloves. I'm telling you the truth, I'm not lying," he said.

The dismissed police officer's response angered Dela Rosa, who served as Philippine National Police chief during the administration of former President Rodrigo Duterte.

"This picture can prove that he was not wearing gloves. Mr. Gonzales, whatever you say, people who watch us will say that you are a former cop," he said.

"It will be a shame that people will always call police liars. You're a police, I am a police. We don't want our organization to be branded as liars," he said.

Unfazed, Gonzales insisted that Bandiola was wearing gloves in his right hand, which Bandiola denied.

Ejercito supported Bandiola's claim by showing another screencap which proved that the cyclist was not wearing any gloves.

Dela Rosa, who identified himself as a cyclist, echoed Ejercito's observation. "I am also a biker, wearing gloves with hard knuckles would make you look like a fool."

He then urged Gonzales not to manufacture stories in the Senate Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs, which he chairs.

After the hearing, Bandiola maintained that he would not file cases against Gonzales.

"People who know me know what kind of person I am. They know the truth. I will let God take care of him," he said.