QCPD logo. Image from QCPD website
MANILA, Philippines — The Quezon City Police District (QCPD) chief filed his resignation Wednesday amid backlash after holding a press conference with a dismissed policeman who figured in a road rage case.
In a phone interview with INQUIRER.net, QCPD chief Brig. Gen. Nicolas Torre III said he already submitted his resignation letter to Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Gen. Benjamin Acorda Jr. “to spare the PNP from any other [issue]” that stemmed from the controversial August 27 presser with Wilfredo Gonzales, who was caught on video threatening a cyclist with a gun.
Torre said his resignation should take effect on August 31.
“I already submitted my resignation today (August 30), effective tomorrow. I have to spare the PNP from any other [issue],” he said.
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Earlier Wednesday, Torre apologized to the public, admitting that he deeply regretted holding a press conference with Gonzales.
“I really regret that press conference […] I apologize to the Filipino people for those actions because those are decisions made in a very short span of time,” the QCPD chief said in an interview over TeleRadyo Serbisyo.
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“In hindsight, we have a 20/20 vision. Kung titignan siguro (If we look at it), I could have done it better with the same result pero nangyari na (but it already happened),” he added.
A couple of days after the press conference, the QCPD filed a complaint of alarm and scandal against Gonzales on Tuesday, August 29.
Also on Tuesday, PNP spokesperson Col. Jean Fajardo said they plan to file more cases against the dismissed policeman as they encourage the victim or the cyclist to come forward and file a complaint.
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