Gun-Toting Gonzales A Repeat Offender, A Hothead

The Aug. 8 road rage incident prompted a background check on former policeman Wilfredo Gonzales, who turned out to be a recidivist or repeat-offender and a hothead based on the records of the Philippine National Police (PNP).

Gonzales was dismissed from the service in 2018 due to grave misconduct for an offense similar to what he did to the cyclist on Aug. 8. The viral video showed Gonzales physically and verbally attacking by the gun-wielding Gonzales.

On “One Balita Pilipinas” over One PH on Tuesday, Aug. 29, PNP spokesperson Col. Jean Fajardo confirmed Gonzales’ dismissal following his mandatory retirement in 2016.

In a dwPM Radyo 630 interview last Monday, Aug. 28, Fajardo revealed that Gonzales had a heated argument with a group of siblings in his area of residence, and like the cyclist, he drew his gun on them. “Mayroon po siyang nakaalitan sa kanilang lugar na magkakapatid, ganoon din po, naglabas din siya ng baril,” she noted.

Gonzales was stripped of all retirement benefits following his dismissal in 2018. He was also required to pay the government the benefits he had received in the two years before he was officially dismissed from the police service.

Also based on record, he was demoted from Police Officer 2 to Police Officer 1 in 2013 for another case of grave misconduct. He was also suspended for 120 days for a similar offense.

Gonzales, a former Quezon City Police District (QCPD) operative, was a whistleblower against a former police official in a bribery case involving two Chinese drug traffickers.

QCPD director Brig. Gen. Nicolas Torre III, meanwhile, defended himself from criticism that he gave special treatment to Gonzales when he allowed the dismissed police officer to speak at a press conference at their headquarters at Camp Karingal on Sunday afternoon, Aug. 27.

Torre explained that he only gave journalists pursuing the story the opportunity to talk with Gonzales by arranging a press conference which took place at 5 p.m.

In hindsight, Torre admitted he should have handled the situation differently.

“I can do it in another way but I have to stand by it, I made that decision to present that guy to the media because of the clamor, but he is under custody,” Torre told reporters.

He said he would never risk his career for a former police non-commissioned officer.

“He is way below my salary grade. What can he offer me para itaya ko ang aking serbisyo,” Torre said, adding he only met Gonzales for the first time on Sunday.

Torre also defended the police officers of Station 11 from accusations that they may have forced the cyclist to settle amicably with Gonzales.

Torre said CCTV footage at the police station showed no indication of such scenario.

LTOPF issuance to be investigated

Consequently, the PNP is looking into lapses on the issuance of Gonzales’ license to own and possess firearms (LTOPF). Fajardo said they are also looking into the status of criminal cases reportedly filed in 2006 against Gonzales, which involved firearms.

“Kasi pwede itong magamit sana para sana hindi siya naaprubahan na magkaroon ng LTOPF at hindi rin siya nabigyan nang permit to carry [firearms outside residence]...hihintayin lang natin ‘yung gagawing imbestigasyon dito (These charges could have been used to prevent Gonzales’ LTOPF from being approved, along with a permit to carry firearms outside residence, so we’re just waiting for the investigation into the matter),” Fajardo said.

Fajardo also confirmed the QCPD’s the filing of alarm and scandal complaint against Gonzales. But for cases like grave misconduct, or attempted homicide, Fajardo said an affidavit of complaint is still required from the cyclist.

According to her, QCPD is currently cooperating with lawyer Raymond Fortun for possible filing of charges against the dismissed police officer.

Fajardo also revealed the PNP will try to get the cyclist to press charges himself as the aggrieved party.

Fajardo said the vlogger who uploaded the video of the incident must also be present for the clip to become admissible as evidence.