Wong Sio Chak condemns support for criminal acts

Following an incident in which a driver allegedly assaulted a police officer while parking illegally, Secretary for Security Wong Sio Chak warned the public yesterday that endorsing or glorifying criminal behavior is against the law.

On Sunday afternoon, a local male truck driver in his 60s was stopped by a traffic police officer for illegal parking on Rua do Passadico.

During the stop, he brandished a metal hydraulic jack and drove away.

Footage circulating online shows the police officer pursuing the truck to the intersection of Rua do Padre António Roliz, where he stopped it.

The driver exited the truck in an agitated state and attacked the officers with the hydraulic rod, injuring the officer’s arm and damaging police equipment.

“As the officer approached to issue a warning, the driver used vulgar language and threatened him with the rod,” according to a statement by the Public Security Police Force (PSP) that evening.

“Despite being warned and asked for identification, the driver ignored the request and fled […] He was eventually subdued by the officer, an off-duty officer nearby, and a member of the public.”

The driver was arrested and referred to the Public Prosecution Office (MP), where he has been charged with aggravated assault, causing grievous bodily harm, aggravated damage, and unlawful possession of a weapon.

According to a statement from prosecutors released Tuesday, the driver is currently subject to mandatory measures, including posting bail, reporting regularly to the police station, and a travel ban.

Amid ongoing discussions on social media about the incident, the Times has observed many comments overwhelmingly supporting the attacker, alleging police officers generally display a hostile attitude.

During a briefing on the first quarter 2025 crime statistics and law enforcement data attended by the Secretary for Security, questions arose about the authorities’ response to this incident, the effectiveness of Macau’s police training system, and measures being taken to restore public trust.

In response, Wong emphasized the gravity of the incident, stating it constituted a serious case and a criminal offense. s

“This is not comparable. There is no comparison between the police actions and the enforcement in this case; the enforcement was not problematic,” Wong said, referencing Penal Code Articles 286 and 287 to assert that online comments supporting the attacker’s behavior also constitute a crime.

The Secretary pointed out that, as always, all police officers are trained to be people-oriented, exercising empathy and integrity in law enforcement, with a strong sense of public service and dedication to the community.

“This will always be the case, and we will continue to strengthen our people-oriented approach to law enforcement,” he stated.

He reaffirmed that police officers have duties such as traffic control, law enforcement, and maintaining order, and urged residents to cooperate. If anyone believes police officers have violated laws, they should report it through official channels, but must not threaten officers or retaliate for their actions.