Valenzuela City Mayor “Wes” Gatchalian holds a press conference on Monday, September 11, 2023, about a road rage case in Barangay Punturin on August 19. (Photo from Noy Morcoso / INQUIRER.net)
MANILA, Philippines — The driver of the Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) who was involved in a recent road rage and gun-toting in Valenzuela city has appeared before Mayor Weslie “Wes” Gatchalian’s office on Tuesday.
Marlon Malabute turned over the firearm used against a taxi driver during a confrontation on August 19 in Barangay Punturin.
The incident was caught on video and it went viral on September 6.
“Today, September 12, suspect Marlon Malabute physically surrendered his firearm to the mayor’s office, and likewise, we turned it over to the custody of Valenzuela City Police Station (VCPS),” Gatchalian said in a press conference.
He was joined by Malabute in the forum, accompanied by a legal counsel.
In an earlier media briefing, police had said complaints of grave threats, alarm, and scandal were filed against Malabute on September 11.
The charges stemmed from a video of Malabute confronting and pointing his weapon at taxi driver Herminio “Henry” Daez Ong Jr.
Police were able to track both suspect and victim after scanning a series of CCTV footage within the area.
The license plates of the SUV and the taxi were also captured in the video surveillance.
Police discovered Malabute had a permit to own firearms.
Philippine National Police Firearms and Explosives Office revoked his permit and ordered the suspect to turn in the handgun.
Gatchalian said the driver’s gun is already with Valenzuela police.
It will be subjected to ballistic examination at PNP headquarters in Camp Crame, Quezon city.
The mayor also said Land Transportation Office issued a show-cause order against Malabute.
“Unfortunately, the vehicle in the video, yung Fortuner, hindi pa na-turnover as of the moment. So, we will await for the report from LTO kung anong mangyayari sa sasakyan,” the local official added.
(Unfortunately, the vehicle in the video has not yet been turned over. So, we will just wait for LTO’s report on what will happen to the vehicle.)
During the press conference, Malabute refused to answer questions.
He said he will tell his side of the story in court.
His legal counsel Alyssa Barquez said his client is set to file a counter affidavit.
“I respect the decision of my client not to disclose kung ano man po yung actual na nangyari,” Barquez told reporters.
“Alam din naman po ni Mr. Henry (the taxi driver) kung ano’ng pinagmulan. Hindi lang naman yon dahil bumaba lang at nagkasa ng baril. So, sa proper forum na lang,” she added.
(Mr. Henry also knows the cause of the incident. It was not just about alighting from the vehicle and cocking a gun, so, in the proper forum’.)
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