Viral ex-cop a no-show at LTO, son surrenders license

LTO summon snubbed by ex-cop on viral video

By now, you may have probably heard or seen the video that went viral on social media about a motorist who pulled his firearm on an unarmed cyclist after an alleged traffic altercation. This incident happened along Quezon Avenue on August 8, 2023.

The motorist, identified as ex-cop Wilfredo Gonzales, is reportedly facing multiple charges and his actions have also resulted in a congressional hearing in aid of legislation. He was also summoned by the Land Transportation Office (LTO) to give him the opportunity to explain his side of the story and why his driver’s license should not be revoked by the agency.

Gonzales was no-show.

According to LTO-National Capital Region Acting Assistant Regional Director Hanzley Lim, the cases that the former policeman Wilfredo Gonzales is facing before the agency in connection with the viral road rage video were already submitted for resolution.

Lim said that a hearing was set yesterday, August 31, 2023, but Gonzales was a no-show and instead was represented by his son, who surrendered his driver’s license to the LTO officers.

“Mr Gonzales did not submit an affidavit so we take it as a waiver on his part for us to decide on the matter based on the pieces of evidence we have,” said Lim.

Based on the Show Cause Order (SCO) signed by LTO-NCR Director Roque Verzosa III that was received by Gonzales on Aug. 28, failure to submit a notarized affidavit would be deemed as a waiver to hear and contradict the allegations against the latter.

The SCO covers a demand from Gonzales to explain why he should not be penalized for four violations under the Republic Act 4136, or the Land Transportation and Traffic Code, which include reckless driving, obstruction of traffic, and improper person to operate a motor vehicle. The maximum penalty for cases leveled against Gonzales by the agency is permanent revocation of his driver’s license.

“With the absence of the notarized affidavit, these cases were already submitted for resolution and whatever the results, they will be submitted to the office of our LTO Chief, Assistant Secretary Vigor Mendoza II, for approval,” said Lim.