'I may resign': QCPD chief apologizes for presscon with viral road rage driver

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<figure class="op-interactive"><iframe height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/jPgvDdycTeA?enablejsapi=1" width="560"></iframe></figure><div class="iwantbar">Watch more News on <a href="https://www.iwanttfc.com/#!/browse/Genres/News/tag_id_genres/id_news" target="_blank">iWantTFC</a></div><p><br/>The chief of the Quezon City Police District apologized Wednesday for holding a press conference with ex-policeman Wilfredo Gonzales who was caught on video slapping a cyclist and threatening to pull a gun on him.</p><p>&quot;I really regret that press conference. I really regret that deeply. I apologize to the Filipino people for those actions because those are decisions made in a very short span of time. In hindsight, we have 20/20 vision. I could have done it better with the same result pero nangyari na,&quot; Police Brig Gen. Nicolas Torre III, QCPD director, said in a TeleRadyo Serbisyo interview. </p><p>He added: &quot;I am discussing with my superiors my future involvement in this case. Maraming options. I may resign as district director...I am seriously considering getting out of Quezon City muna to give way to an impartial investigation.&quot;</p><p>Viral video earlier showed Gonzales slapping and brandishing a gun at a cyclist who had bumped into his vehicle. </p><p>Torre said last Sunday&#x27;s press conference with Gonzales was due to the clamor from the media. </p><figure class="op-interactive"><iframe height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/iFxPrqIPOpc?enablejsapi=1" width="560"></iframe></figure><div class="iwantbar">Watch more News on <a href="https://www.iwanttfc.com/#!/browse/Genres/News/tag_id_genres/id_news" target="_blank">iWantTFC</a></div><p>Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte said she was &quot;outraged&quot; that the ex-policeman involved in the viral road rage incident in Quezon City last August 8 was given a platform by police to air his side, instead of being arrested. She noted that elements of the QCPD seemed to side with Gonzales. </p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/08/29/23/belmonte-outraged-gun-toting-ex-cop-given-platform-by-qcpd">QC Mayor Belmonte &#x27;outraged&#x27; gun-toting ex-cop given platform by QCPD</a></li></ul><p>In the interview, Torre said authorities could no longer arrest Gonzales since the period of warrantless arrest had already lapsed. </p><p>&quot;Hindi na pwede warrantless arrest kasi August 8 pa nangyari. Alam natin na may kasalanan siya but we are bound by rule of law,&quot; he said. </p><p>He added he has had time to reflect on the propriety of his actions especially after appearing in the press conference with Gonzales. </p><p>He said he will be appearing before a House of Representatives inquiry later Wednesday to explain his side. </p><p>The QCPD on Tuesday filed an alarm and scandal case against Gonzales over the incident. </p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/08/29/23/ex-cop-in-road-rage-incident-faces-alarm-and-scandal-raps-from-qcpd">QCPD files alarm and scandal raps vs ex-cop in road rage incident</a></li></ul><p>For his part, lawyer Raymond Fortun said the cyclist involved in the incident has refused to file a case after receiving threats from police officials. </p><p>&quot;&#x27;Yung siklista takot na takot po &#x27;yan. &#x27;Wag niyo na po labanan &#x27;yan kasi takot na takot po ako.&#x27; Alam &#x27;yung cellphone number niya, alam &#x27;yung bahay niya. Nasa [kanila] &#x27;yung ID. Alam kung saan nagtatrabaho,&quot; Fortun said in a TeleRadyo Serbisyo interview. </p><p>He added: &quot;Abuse of power ang nangyari. Makikita niyo naman sa video. The video will not lie. Sa aking pananaw, maling-mali po &#x27;yung kabilang party.&quot;</p><p>Fortun said that after being slapped and threatened with a a gun, the cyclist was forced to go to a police station and made to a sign a statement that he was at fault in the incident. </p><p>&quot;Wala pong abogado itong siklista e sa piling po nung lahat ng pulis na nandodoon sa Galas police station, e puro mga kabaro niya lahat &#x27;yun, &#x27;yung ex-cop, pinuwersa po &#x27;yung siklista na pumirma ng isang kasunduan kuno na inaamin niya na siya ang may kasalanan at pinagbayad pa siya ng 500 pesos,&quot; he said. </p><p>&quot;Wala pong sinasabi dun na binatukan niya at kinasahan niya ng baril. Pinalabas po dun &#x27;ikaw ang may kasalanan. Ginasgasan mo &#x27;yung kotse ko,&#x27;&quot; he added. </p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/08/29/23/abuse-of-power-cyclist-in-road-rage-incident-forced-to-sign-deal-fortun">&#x27;Abuse of power&#x27;: Cyclist in road rage incident forced to sign deal - Fortun</a></li></ul>

'I really regret that press conference...I may resign as district director...I am seriously considering getting out of Quezon City muna.'

'I may resign': QCPD chief apologizes for presscon with viral road rage driver | ABS-CBN

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'I may resign': QCPD chief apologizes for presscon with viral road rage driver

'I may resign': QCPD chief apologizes for presscon with viral road rage driver

ABS-CBN News

Published Aug 30, 2023 07:52 AM PHT

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Updated Aug 30, 2023 12:00 PM PHT

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