NPD to use road rage driver’s gun as evidence

MANILA, Philippines — The handgun used by road rage suspect Marlon Malabute against a taxi driver during a traffic altercation in Valenzuela City last month is now in the custody of the police and will be used as evidence against him.

Brig. Gen. Rizalito Gapas, Northern Police District (NPD) director, said the businessman’s 9mm pistol was turned over to the Valenzuela police and will be used as evidence against Malabute, who is facing criminal complaints for grave threat and alarm and scandal.

Malabute on Tuesday surrendered before Mayor Weslie Gatchalian and the city police, more than a week after a video of his confrontation with taxi driver Henry Ong surfaced on social media platforms.

The police Firearms and Explosives Office had earlier revoked Malabute’s gun license due to the incident.

Malabute drew his handgun at Ong during a dispute along a road in Barangay Punturin last Aug. 19.

Malabute, who was driving a Toyota Fortuner sport utility vehicle, plans to submit a counter-affidavit to prove his innocence.

He refused to apologize for his actions. This irked Gatchalian, who said the incident put Valenzuela in a bad light.