The Philippine National Police (PNP) has revoked the gun permit of a driver who pointed a handgun at a cyclist in a road rage incident that went viral. The decision comes a day after the incident was reported online.
The driver, identified as Wilfredo Gonzales, was seen in a now-deleted video confronting a cyclist who had bumped into his vehicle. In the video, Gonzales hits the cyclist on the head and brandishes a 9-millimeter pistol at him. Gonzales, a former police officer dismissed in 2018, claimed to have settled the issue with the cyclist prior to the video going viral, although details were not disclosed.
The PNP’s Firearms and Explosives Office issued a statement saying, “The PNP has issued an order of revocation of LTOPF (license to own and permit to possess firearm) and firearms licenses against Gonzales.” In addition to the 9-millimeter pistol, Gonzales owned three caliber 45 pistols, all of which have been confiscated.
Gonzales said he “voluntarily” surrendered his gun to the Quezon City police on August 8. The PNP statement reminded citizens that “possession and ownership of firearms are not absolute rights but rather a privilege.”
Separately, the Land Transportation Office (LTO) has also issued a show cause order against Gonzales. Initial findings from the LTO revealed that Gonzales was not the registered owner of the red sedan he was driving during the incident. Both Gonzales and the car’s owner have been summoned to face the LTO on August 31 to explain why they should not be facing complaints of Improper Person to Operate a Vehicle and Reckless Driving.
The PNP and LTO are continuing their investigations into the incident.
