‘Di ka mamatay dito,’ Bato tells ex-cop in road rage case at Senate probe

Sen. Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa (left) and Wilfredo Gonzales. (Photo from Voltaire F. Domingo/Senate PRIB and video grab from CNN Philippines YouTube)

MANILA, Philippines — You won’t die here.

Senator  Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa assured former police officer Wilfredo Gonzales after he appeared at a Senate investigation on Tuesday on the widely circulated road rage case last August  8.

Gonzales was caught on video hitting and cocking a gun at a cyclist identified as Allan Bandiola during an altercation.

Bandiola also showed up at the Senate committee hearing on public order and dangerous drugs headed by Dela Rosa.

“As of yesterday, alam ko hindi ka raw darating dahil meron kang sakit at you’re advised to rest ng doctor mo. Buti  naman dumating ka,” dela Rosa said when he recognized Gonzales, who came late in the hearing.

(As of yesterday, I heard that you weren’t supposed to come because you’re sick and your doctor advised you to rest. I’m glad you came.)

“Huwag kang mag-alala. Hindi ka mamatay dito. Kahit ano’ng sakit mo hindi ka mamatay dito. Bumunot ka pa nga ng baril e. Kayang-kaya mo yan, ‘wag kang mag-alala,”  the senator added.

(Don’t worry, you won’t die here. No matter what illness you have, you won’t die here. You even pulled out a gun. You can handle this. Don’t worry.)

Dela Rosa also assured the former cop that a doctor would be on standby if the latter’s blood pressure rises or he suddenly feels ill during the hearing.

Gonzales repeatedly thanked Dela Rosa for his assuring words.

Aside from the charges against him following the incident, Gonzales also lost his job at the Office of Associate Justice Ricardo Rosario.

JMS/abc