Quezon City, Philippines – A road rage incident involving a dismissed police officer who brandished a gun during a heated confrontation with a cyclist has taken an unexpected turn.

While former police officer, identified as Wilfredo Gonzales, claimed that the dispute was settled, the Philippine National Police (PNP) has announced the revocation of his gun license, a move that has ignited discussions on responsible gun ownership and social media accountability.

The PNP confirmed the revocation of the License to Own and Possess Firearms (LTOPF) and firearms licenses of the individual involved in the road rage incident. The altercation occurred on August 8, 2023, near Welcome Rotonda in Quezon City, and the shocking event was captured in a viral video.

“The possession and ownership of firearms are not absolute rights but rather a privilege,” emphasized the PNP.

During a press conference with the PNP, Wilfredo “Willie” Gonzales, the driver of the red sedan involved in the incident, urged netizens, particularly vloggers, to exercise responsibility in their online activities. Gonzales stated, “Ang pakiusap ko lang po sana, kasi masyado na po tayong ano sa social media ngayon, sana ‘yung mga vloggers, sana maging responsable sila. Hindi nila alam ang puno’t dulo, marami kaagad magco-comment, nakita nagkasa, hindi naman nila nakita eh ‘yung tunay na pangyayari, ‘yung umpisa na mula sa ganung lugar, malayo, mahirap po ‘yun.”

He added: “’Yun lang ho ‘yung pinakiusap ko dun sa mga vloggers ngayon kasi kawawa naman ‘yung mga anak ko, ang kapamilya ko, parang ang sama-sama ko hong ano- tao.”

However, Gonzales’s plea for responsibility did not sit well with many netizens, considering his actions in the viral video. Netizens took to social media to express their disapproval, with some accusing Gonzales of gaslighting and questioning his credibility.

One netizen, Mago Nacido, commented, “I am not a VLOGGER, I am just an ordinary Filipino Citizen and Tax Payer. But I am thankful sa Social Media kase the evidence they show against you is not fabricated… you’re CAUGHT in the Act, Sir.”

Another Facebook user, Angie Reyes, didn’t mince words, saying, “Bobol bat kase kaylangan maglabas agad ng baril, pangangaralan mo p mga vlogger, ikaw naman tong mayabang komo may baril ka panot.”

Jhun Conga also chimed in, posted: “Hoy KALBONG Wilfredo Willie Gonzales, mahiya ka namang hayup ka. May statement ka pa na maging responsable ang mga vlogger dahil naapektuhan ang mga anak mo? Punyeta ka, bakit hindi ka maging responsableng gun owner bago mo punahin ang mga vlogger na hayup ka. Gagawa ka ng karahasan, tapos ng kumalat sa social media eh paawa effect dahil apektado ang mga anak mo sa kagagohan mo?”

Maelynsey Ando-Yoshida also shared her thoughts: “Maging responsableng vloggers daw sabi ni ser. Sana naging responsableng driver at gun owner ka muna. Apakagaleng mo po eh. Patawa ka?”

The incident and its aftermath have ignited discussions about responsible gun ownership and the power and impact of social media in holding individuals accountable for their actions. While Gonzales may have settled the dispute, the repercussions of his actions continue to reverberate in the digital sphere.

The revocation of his gun license serves as a reminder that privileges, such as owning firearms, come with responsibilities, and public figures, including dismissed law enforcement officers, are subject to scrutiny from the online community.