CYCLIST Allan Bandiola, who figured in a road rage altercation with a former policeman has urged senators to give more teeth to the exclusive bike lanes law to ensure safety of the riders.
While putting up bike lanes and other infrastructures for active transport was part of Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028, there was no law enforcing their use.
Some local governments in Metro Manila have even removed or neglected to maintain bike lanes that were put up during the pandemic lockdowns, according to transport reform advocacy group Alt Mobility PH.
“Lagyan nila ng pangil ng batas ‘yung bike lane. Dapat irespeto nila. Kasi kung nirerespeto ‘yung bike lane, wala pong papasok don eh,” said Bandiola during the Senate Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs hearing led by Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa.
The hearing was prompted by resolutions seeking a probe into the viral video showing ex-cop Wilfredo Gonzales slapping and pointing a gun at Bandiola during a traffic altercation at Mabuhay Rotonda in Quezon City last August 8.
Bandiola said he might have earned Gonzales’ anger when he tapped the latter’s vehicle when it strayed into the bike lane.
But Dela Rosa and Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano both agreed that Gonzales was at fault.
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Dela Rosa applauded Bandiola for appearing before the Senate panel.
“You are representing the whole biking community na nakatikim ng pambu-bully ng mga four wheels na sasakyan. You are not only fighting
for yourself. Hindi lang to para sa’yo, tulungan mo din kapwa mo,” Dela Rosa said.
Pollster Social Weather Stations (SWS) last week released survey results showing that the number of Filipino households using bikes for any activity rose to 36 percent or 10 million this year, with many of them cycling to save on fares and boost their health.
In January this year, Sen. Raffy Tulfo filed a bill to institutionalize bike lanes in local governments.
Bandiola claimed that the responding police officer did not arrest the gun-toting Wilfredo Gonzales because he didn’t see his firearm.
Bandiola recalled during the hearing that the police officer told him they cannot arrest Gonzales because “we didn’t see a gun.”
“I told them he (Gonzales) has a gun, but they didn’t see it,” Bandiola further told the committee of Dela Rosa, a former Philippine National Police chief.
Viral videos supported the assertions of Bandiola that Gonzales, a dismissed policeman and court employee, was carrying a gun at the time of the incident.
It was shown on the video that Gonzales threatened Bandiola with a gun at the height of their quarrel.
According to Bandiola, he did not press charges against the former policeman to avoid further troubles.
In the initial stage of the hearing, Dela Rosa said he did not expect Gonzales to be present as he was advised of his absence due to being sick.
“As of yesterday, I know you will not arrive because you were sick.
Your doctor advised you to rest. It’s good that you came,” Dela Rosa told Gonzales.
He also guaranteed the dismissed policeman he would be safe in the Senate, adding that he would not die there.
“Don’t worry, you won’t die here. No matter what illness you have, you won’t die here. You even pulled out a gun,” said Dela Rosa.
Sen. Robin Pasilla said a gun is not a weapon used to feel fearless.
He rejected Gonzales’ explanation that he pulled out his firearm because he felt threatened by Bandiola.
“I cannot accept that. We are responsible gun owners. You should never have pulled out your firearm. I don’t want to raise my voice because
you are a senior citizen but I cannot accept such behavior by gun owners,” he said.
Padilla added such behavior is never acceptable because gun owners should always be responsible.
According to the senator, he was saddened by Gonzales’ act of assaulting a cyclist and pulling out his gun, because it affects responsible gun owners.
“You use a handgun in self-defense and in sport, not as an offensive weapon. That is not something that you brandish to feel fearless
especially after drinking,” he said.
Padilla also lauded cyclist Bandiola for thinking of his family’s safety, even as he stressed such an incident should never happen
again.
Meanwhile, Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri cited the need to create a special law to avoid road rage incidents.
“We need to protect our motorists especially those riding motorcycle and bicycle,” stressed Zubiri in the same hearing.
He said there must be a law which gives the government the power to file charges in behalf of an aggrieved party who refuses to press
charges like Bandiola.
A group of cylists sought the senators’ help to come out with a law that will ensure their protection on the road.
Lawyer Raymund Fortun who first came out with the incident on his Facebook page hopes there will be designated bike lanes and
incentives for companies with bike parking and shower facilities.
It was also recommended that employees who go to work using bikes instead of using a car should be given tax exemptions as they help
ease traffic gridlock.
Taxes on the importation of bikes should also be removed to make them more affordable.