MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Wednesday, July 30, called for sobriety while police begin investigating an apparent case of road rage that led to an altercation between a motorist and a taxi driver.

In a video that went viral on social media, two drivers are seen in a heated argument in the middle of a flyover along EDSA, near the PNP headquarters in Camp Crame, Quezon City.

The video shows a man in a blue shirt kicking the door of a white taxi, trying to prevent the taxi driver from stepping out. The taxi driver is later seen wielding a sharp object, after which the driver then pulls out a gun from his bag.

The viral video, however, does not show what happened before the sharp object and the gun were brought out by both drivers. According to reports, the altercation happened on July 25.

“Before we cast judgment [on who is guilty], let’s wait for the investigation to take its course,” said PNP spokesman Chief Superintendent Reuben Theodore Sindac.

Cases filed, judgment not set

The taxi driver in the video, a certain Glen Remetio, has since surrendered to authorities. The other driver, however, has yet to contact the police but has been identified as “Karlvin Ang.”

Ang was tagged through the SUV, which is owned by Primex Development Corp. According to reports, however, the company said it was not Ang caught on video.   

Sindac confirmed that policemen have since filed physical injury, grave threat and malicious mischief charges against Ang before the Quezon City Prosecutor’s Office.

But any speculation on the case at this point, said Sindac, is what it is: speculation. “Everything here is theoretical.”

“For example, you’re caught in a corner and the person pursuing you has a knife and the only defense you have is a gun… in that case, you have the right to use it,” said Sindac, adding that police “have yet to make a conclusion.”

PNP Firearms and Explosives Office head Chief Superintendent Virigio Lazo said based on their records, “Karlvin Ang” is not a registered gun owner. 

Vitriol against the two drivers has been fierce online, with commenters taking sides and alternatively commenting on who is at fault.

“There’s always another side to the story. Both of them, or only one of them could be at fault,” he added. Sindac also called on Karlvin Ang to surrender before authorities so he could air his side of the story and lodge whatever complaints he intends to file against Remetio.

The PNP’s Quezon City Police District is leading the investigation. – Rappler.com