QCPD chief Brig. Gen. Nicholas Torre III responds to questions from media members at the NCRPO- Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig City on August 29, 2023. (INQUIRER.net / Faith Argosino)
MANILA, Philippines — The Quezon City Police District (QCPD) on Tuesday filed before the city prosecutor’s office a complaint of alarm and scandal against Wilfredo “Willie” Gonzales, the former police officer who was caught on video threatening a cyclist with a gun last August 8.
On August 27, QCPD presented the 63-year-old Gonzales at a press conference, where the former police officer admitted his mistake and revealed that he and the cyclist had already settled their differences.
According to QCPD chief Brig. Gen. Nicholas Torre III, they started investigating the case on the same day until Monday and eventually filed the complaint around 9:50 a.m. on Tuesday.
“Wala pa namang opisina kahapon kaya kanina 9:50 a.m. i-finile namin ang kasong alarm and scandal [laban kay Gonzales],” Torre told reporters in an ambush interview at National Capital Region Police Office in Camp Bagong Diwa, Taguig.
(Monday was a holiday, so we filed the alarm and scandal complaint against Gonzales at around 9:50 a.m. on Tuesday.)
He explained that the case is a public crime, which can be filed by police officers and can be strengthened through other evidence or witnesses.
Based on the Republic Act No. 11926 Article 155, the penalty for alarm and scandal is a fine not exceeding P40,000 and, according to Torre, a jail time of approximately six years.