PLANNED SENATE INQUIRY. Land Transportation Office (LTO) chief Vigor Mendoza II welcomes the planned Senate inquiry into a road rage in Quezon City involving a former cop and a cyclist. He said the legislative inquiry will not only highlight the importance of responsible road sharing and safety of motorists but will also help the government identify what needs to be enhanced on the transportation sector. (PNA photo by Joey O. Razon)

MANILA – The Land Transportation Office (LTO) on Thursday welcomed the planned Senate inquiry into a traffic altercation where retired policeman Wilfredo Gonzales brandished a handgun against a cyclist in Quezon City.

In a statement, LTO chief and Department of Transportation (DOTr) Assistant Secretary Vigor Mendoza II said the inquiry would also highlight the importance of responsible road sharing and the safety of motorists and cyclists.

“Ang ganitong mga klase ng insidente ay hindi basta-basta dapat pinapalampas dahil kaligtasan ng mga motorista at ng mga mananakay ang nakasalalay dito (These kind of incidents should not be ignored because the safety of motorists and commuters is at stake),” he said.

While both the LTO and the Philippine National Police (PNP) have already begun their own inquiries into the incident, he said a separate Senate inquiry would help educate the public that everyone has equal access to public roads.

“Mahalaga rin ang magiging ambag ng pagtalakay na gagawin sa Senado upang ating malaman kung ano-ano ang mga bagay na dapat nating i-improve sa sektor ng transportasyon (The planned Senate inquiry will also be important in helping us determine what can be improved on the transportation sector),” he said.

Earlier, Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri and Sen. Pia Cayetano jointly filed a resolution seeking to investigate the road rage incident that went viral on social media involving Gonzales and a cyclist along Quezon Avenue as seen on a video released on August 8.

The LTO has since issued a 90-day preventive suspension against Gonzales’ license and has summoned him to answer four traffic violations, including disregarding traffic sign under Joint Administrative Order 2014-01, obstruction of traffic, reckless driving and improper person to operate a vehicle under Republic Act 4136. (PNA)