2023 Welcome Rotonda road rage incident
Road rage incident in Quezon City, Metro Manila / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
On the late afternoon of August 8, 2023, a road rage incident occurred when former Philippine National Police (PNP) officer Wilfredo Gonzales, driving a red Kia Rio, cut off Allan Bandiola, who was riding his bicycle in the bicycle lane near Welcome Rotonda in Doña Josefa, Quezon City, Philippines.[2] Following the altercation, Gonzales exited his car, threatened to shoot the cyclist with a handgun, and slapped him on the head.[3] On the same day, a settlement was reached between both parties, with Bandiola paying ₱500 to Gonzales for damages to his car.[4]
2023 Welcome Rotonda road rage incident | |
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![]() A still from the viral video showing Wilfredo Gonzales (right) cocking his gun | |
Location | Doña Josefa, Quezon City, Philippines |
Date | August 8, 2023 Around 6:00 pm (PhST (UTC+08:00)) |
Attack type | Gun-toting, grave threat, reckless driving |
Weapon | Glock 17 semi-automatic pistol |
Victim | Allan Bandiola |
Perpetrator | Wilfredo Gonzales |
Motive | Road rage |
Verdict | Driver's license revoked with two-year suspension[1] |
However, footage of the incident went viral online on August 26 resulting in public outcry, prompting Gonzales to surrender to the PNP the next day. Gonzales' permit to carry firearms and his firearms license and registration were revoked as a result of the incident. A total of four registered firearms, including the one used in the incident, were confiscated by the PNP.[5] The driver has also been issued a show-cause order by the Land Transportation Office (LTO) and faces four traffic violations of disregarding traffic signs, obstruction to traffic, operating a vehicle to commit a crime, and reckless driving.[6][7]
An ongoing investigation is being conducted by the Quezon City government and the PNP to determine if the case was mishandled.[3][8][9] Gonzales was scheduled to appear before the LTO on August 31 for the four traffic violations he is being charged with in relation to the incident[7] but did not show up. As a result, the LTO has revoked his driver's license and suspended him from re-applying for a license for two years.[1][10] The Philippine Senate Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs also held a hearing on the issue on September 5 with both Gonzales and the cyclist in attendance.[2]