Road rage: Ex-cop admits to assaulting cyclist, says he’s sorry

VIRAL ENCOUNTER | Wilfredo Gonzales, driver of a red sedan, went viral online after assaulting a cyclist. Gonzales is shown here pulling out and cocking a handgun as he confronts the unnamed cyclist near Welcome Rotunda at the boundary of Manila and Quezon City. (VIDEOGRAB FROM YOUTUBE)

MANILA, Philippines — Former police officer Wilfredo “Willie” Gonzales who was involved in a road rage incident admitted that he assaulted and cocked a gun at cyclist Allan Bandiola during a road altercation in Quezon City, adding that he regrets what he has done.

“Humihingi po ako ng tawad sa sa parte pong ‘yun — sa pambabatok ko, sa pagbunot at pagkasa ko [ng baril]. Humihingi po ako ng tawad sa lahat, hindi lang [kay Allan Bandiola], kundi lahat po sa inyo. Kasalanan ko po ‘yun, nabigla po ako,” said Gonzales during a public hearing held by the Senate committee on public order and dangerous drugs held Tuesday.

(I apologize for that part — for hitting him, for pulling out and pointing [the gun]. I apologize to everyone, not just [to Allan Bandiola], but to all of you. It’s my fault, I was shocked.)

According to Gonzales, he was defending himself because when the altercation took place, he was only regaining his strength from an operation.

“Galing ako sa spine operation. So sa isip ko [ay ‘yung] element na i-shock ko manlang siya [para hindi niya] ako masugod. Kasi kung madadakma niya ako baka mapatay niya ako, mahina ako e. Bagong opera po ako eh,” Gonzales said.

(I came from a spine operation. So, I was thinking there should be an element that I should shock him so that he can’t hurt me. Because if he catches me, he might kill me since I’m weak. I am still recovering from an operation.)

The 63-year-old Gonzales also claimed that Bandiola acted as if he was going to attack him, prompting the ex-cop to pull out his gun.

“Normal reaction ko lang po ‘yun kasi binatukan niya ako [kaya] bumaba ako ng bike,” said Bandiola, defending himself.

(That was just my normal reaction because he hit me. That’s why I got off my bike.)

Cyclist Bandiola, in the same hearing, said he and Gonzales have settled their disagreement.

“Wala pong pumilit sa akin. Nakipag areglo po ako dahil ayaw ko ng gulo,” the road rage victim stressed.

(No one forced me. I’ve compromised to settle things because I don’t want any trouble.)

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