BGEN. Nicolas Torre 3rd, Quezon City Police District (QCPD) director, confirmed on Wednesday that he has resigned following the controversial press conference he conducted with Wilfredo Gonzales in late August.
Torre told reporters that his letter of resignation, which he submitted to Philippine National Police (PNP) chief, Gen. Benjamin Acorda Jr., was primarily meant to spare the PNP from any other issue that may emerge from the media briefing last August 27.
Gonzales, said to be a dismissed policeman, was also caught on a viral video threatening a male cyclist with a gun.
The embattled QCPD chief said his resignation should take effect on August 31.
“I have to spare the PNP from any other issue so I submitted my resignation today (August 30), effective tomorrow,” he said.
Prior to this, the top QCPD official apologized to the public saying he regretted holding the press conference with Gonzales.
Torre said he has to apologize to the public over his actions “which were made in a very short span of time.”
Even Mayor Maria Josefina “Joy” Belmonte expressed disappointment over the action of the QCPD chief that resulted in a “quick amicable settlement” between the cyclist and Gonzales.
Belmonte ordered the city’s People’s Law Enforcement Board (PLEB) to find out if the QCPD handled the incident that involved Gonzales whom she described as a “menace to society.”
At the same time, she urged the cyclist to come forward as she was ready to assist him in filing criminal charges against the dismissed lawman.
She asked PLEB to investigate the Galas Police Station, which handled the case.
“We are appealing to the complainant to come forward so that Willy Gonzalez, whom I consider a menace to society, is held accountable. We want to assure the cyclist that we will extend legal assistance, as well as put him and his family in our protection, so that justice is served. I will not allow this case to be whitewashed,” Belmonte said.
She said she could understand if there was a quick amicable settlement between Gonzales and the cyclist because the victim could have been scared for his life knowing that the person who wielded the gun used to be a police officer.
“This culture of impunity is not acceptable in Quezon City and I have a duty and responsibility to maintain peace and order in our city and to send a strong message that acts such as those committed shall not be tolerated and that he must be held accountable,” Belmonte said.
Should the biker come forward, the city is looking into filing possible grave threat, slander by deed, reckless imprudence, physical injuries, violations of Republic Act 10591 or Absence of a License to Own and Possess a Firearm; Absence of Permit to Carry against the erring policeman, she added.
