Senate President Juan Miguel “Migz” F. Zubiri (Bibo Nueva Espaٌa / Senate PRIB)
MANILA, Philippines — Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri and Senator Pia Cayetano on Tuesday filed a resolution seeking an inquiry into a road rage incident in Quezon City where a former police officer pulled out and cocked a gun during an altercation with a cyclist.
In Senate resolution no. 763, the senators pointed out the seriousness of the incident as it involved public order and safety, which means it “cannot simply be settled amicably and swept under the rug.”
“The issue also highlights the safety of cyclists on the road, and the issue of road sharing, a concept that remains ignored by and alien to many Filipino motorists, which means that one must share in the responsibility of ensuring everyone’s safety, as everyone has an equal right to access public roads,” the resolution read.
The senators, through the resolution explained that it was vital to protect cyclists in traffic, especially under Senate Bill No. 1290 or the Walkable and Bikeable Communities Act.
The inquiry, they said, was also in alignment with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), specifically SDG 11 on Sustainable Cities and Communities, which aims to make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable.
The car driver and former police officer, identified as Wilfredo Gonzales, has been stripped of his gun’s license, while the Land Transportation Office also summoned him and suspended his driver’s license.
The Philippine National Police, meanwhile, earlier revealed that Gonzales was also demoted and eventually dismissed in 2018 due to administrative and criminal cases filed against him.