A shocking incident unfolded on the bustling streets of Welcome Rotonda, Quezon City, as a viral video captured the alarming actions of a motorist, further fueling concerns over road rage and the misuse of authority.

The video, which has sent ripples across social media platforms, features the driver of a red sedan, later on identified as Wilfredo “Willie” Gonzales, brandishing a firearm during a heated confrontation with a cyclist. This distressing video has brought to the forefront questions regarding the safety of cyclists navigating the city’s busy streets. The incident occurred on August 8 at around 6 pm.

Brigadier General Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr., Director of the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO), swiftly responded to the disturbing footage. He revealed that the individual seen in the viral video, responsible for both the assault on the cyclist and the menacing display of a firearm, has been identified as a dismissed police officer, not retired as earlier reported. Presently, the former law enforcement officer is in police custody.

However, the dismissed police officer stated in a release that they had resolved the matter on the same day as the incident, leaving netizens dismayed. Notorious clout-chaser Rendor Labrador, known for his provocative commentary, also chimed in on the issue, expressing his incredulity by saying, “Ganun na lang ba run, Sir Director General?” (Is that all there is to it, Sir Director General?)

Labrador, boasting a substantial following on Facebook, further commented, “BIKERS MAG INGGAT SA KALBO!!! Mukang malakas si kalbo! Okay na daw yun? Director General okay na po yun ser??? ganun ganun nalang? Edi kung ganun pwede na pala tutukan lang ng baril ang mga nag b-bike? mag suot nalang ng bulletproof para sure??? Ayus, good job! #stayMotivated.”

Director Nartatez Jr. encouraged the cyclist, the victim in this incident, to cooperate with law enforcement agencies in pressing appropriate charges against the dismissed officer.

The incident gained widespread attention after attorney Raymond Fortun reached out to the public via Facebook. In a viral post, he appealed to netizens for their assistance in identifying the individual involved in the altercation. Fortun wrote, “The cycling community is requesting help in identifying this individual who was driving a Kia car around 6:00 PM last August 8, 2023, near Welcome Rotonda. He cut across this cyclist, assaulted, and pulled out a gun on the unarmed cyclist, a criminal offense under our penal laws. He appears to be a government employee, in light of a lapel pin.”

In an update to his post, Fortun shared the car’s license plate number, ULQ 802, urging authorities to use this information to track down the suspect.

The incident sparked outrage among netizens, many of whom condemned the actions of the man brandishing the gun. A user on X, formerly Twitter, under the handle TRAPOSrRAPISTS, commented, “Whether active or retired, many PH policemen think they are above the law. They, and the corrupt politicians, are the scourge of the nation!”

Another netizen, Zerickcolambot, expressed his indignation, saying, “Pagka hambugero nimo! Retired police! Ang tapang naman! Isog kaayo ug baho!” (You’re such a show-off! Retired police! So brave and arrogant!)

One X user simply stated, “Police na naman but retired.” (It’s another case involving the police, but this time, a retired one.)