NEWS

‘Go to authorities, not social media’

Jing Villamente

Valenzuela City Mayor Wes Gatchalian on Monday called on the public not to resort to social media in reporting road rage incidents.

He also advised motorists who are also gun owners to be "responsible enough" as a license to have a gun is just a "privilege" and not to be used for bullying.

"I don't see any reason why (the motorist who is a gun owner) he would be in a rage. Madaling araw nangyari, maluwag ang daan," Gatchalian said, referring to Marlon Malabute a businessman from Tondo, Manila who cut and hit at the cab driven by Henry Ong Jr., a resident of Valenzuela.

"Wala pang sinasabi (victim) binunutan na ng baril," Gatchalian said at a press briefing he called to present the victim on another road rage incident that happened in their jurisdiction.

Gatchalian was referring to the latest road rage incident that happened on 19 August, a couple of weeks after the controversial road rage incident that happened in Quezon City involving a retired and dismissed policeman and bicycle rider.

Gatchalian said the incident only reached them 6 September but their police were able to track down the suspect through the vehicle he used which probers found to have been registered thrice.

P/Col. Salvador Destura Jr., Valenzuela police chief said they have already filed charges of "alarm and scandal" as well as "grave threats" against the motorist. He added that they also moved to have Malabute's gun license revoked.

"He will answer that at the Prosecutors' Office. If he doesn't show up, he will have a warrant. That's the time we will hunt him, if he still would not present himself" Destura explained.

He added that they also reached out with the suspect's uncle and brother who promised them their cooperation.