Senate Calls for a Special Law Addressing Viral Road Rage Incident
The Senate Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs has concluded its inquiry into a viral road rage incident in Quezon City and is now pushing for the enactment of a special law that will address similar incidents in the future. The incident involved a cyclist, Allan Bandiola, and Wilfredo Gonzales, a former police officer, who pulled out a gun during an altercation.
During the Senate hearing, Gonzales, who initially presented a medical certificate as an excuse for not attending, admitted to assaulting Bandiola and cocking a gun at him. The incident went viral after a concerned citizen recorded and uploaded the video on social media. Gonzales expressed regret for his actions and apologized to Bandiola as well as to everyone else.
Gonzales claimed that he felt threatened by Bandiola, prompting him to pull out his gun. He explained that he was in recovery from a spine operation and was afraid that Bandiola might harm him. On the other hand, Bandiola defended his reaction, stating that he simply acted in response to Gonzales hitting him. Bandiola clarified that he had already settled the issue with Gonzales at the police station, indicating that he did not want to escalate the situation.
However, lawyer Raymond Fortun, who is also a bike enthusiast, informed the committee that Bandiola had been coerced into admitting fault and was even forced to pay for the damage to Gonzales’ vehicle. This raised concerns about the fairness of the resolution.
Senator Ronald Bato Dela Rosa, the chairperson of the panel, emphasized that criminal charges could still be filed against Gonzales by the Philippine National Police. These charges could be more severe than the initial offense of alarming scandal and may include grave threat and frustrated homicide. Dela Rosa also acknowledged that Bandiola initially did not want to pursue legal action, but the committee recognized the possibility of the police filing a case based on evidence from CCTV footage and other witnesses.
In response to the incident, Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri proposed the enactment of a special law on road rage to protect the public from aggressive motorists. Zubiri suggested that even if victims were hesitant to file a case, it would become a legal matter between the government and the individuals involved. This approach would alleviate the burden on victims and ensure that those responsible for road rage are held accountable.
Senators Robinhood Padilla and Jinggoy Estrada echoed the sentiment that the culture of violence, specifically on public roads, should not be tolerated. Padilla rejected Gonzales’ explanation that he felt threatened by Bandiola, emphasizing the responsibility of gun owners to use their firearms purposefully and responsibly.
The Senate’s push for a special law addressing viral road rage incidents reflects the need to protect the public from dangerous encounters on the road. By enacting legislation and holding individuals accountable for their actions, it is hoped that such incidents can be prevented in the future and that road users can feel safer while traveling. The Senate’s inquiry serves as an important step towards promoting road safety and restoring trust among motorists.
