Cases of police brutality have been in the public’s focus for months, especially after #BlackLivesMatter protests started last year. The killing of 46-year-old George Floyd by police officer Derek Chauvin strengthened the call to defund the police force, brought by decades of attacks, discrimination, and racism against the Black community. A similar movement in the Philippines has been building up as well.
A video went viral on social media last December 21, wherein a police officer shot his two neighbors over an altercation, enraging thousands of Filipinos online. Senior Master Sergeant Jonel Nuezca killed 52-year-old Sonya Gregorio and her son Frank Anthony Gregorio, 25, in their neighborhood in Paniqui, Tarlac, after having a heated discussion about Frank firing off a PVC cannon or boga. #PulisAngTerorista trended on Twitter, with many demanding accountability from the Philippine National Police, even for the defunding of the institution. Interior Secretary Eduardo Año responded by saying that this was an “isolated case” and citizens must not blame the whole institution for the fault of one person. However, recent events prove that this is not an isolated incident.
On June 1, it was reported that Master Sergeant Hensie Zinampan, who is designated at the Philippine National Police - Police Security and Protection Group, shot 52-year-old Lilibeth Valdez in Barangay Greater Fairview. Witnesses state that Zinampan was drunk when he shot Valdez outside a storefront after she argued with him.
On May 24, news broke about an 18-year-old Edwin Arnigo, a person within the autism spectrum, being shot by police officers. It was unclear who really shot the victim but the four police officers involved in the incident were immediately given administrative relief as punishment. The four officers were Police Master Sgt. Christopher Salcedo, Police Cpl. Kenneth Pacheco, Police Cpl. Rodel Villar, and Police Cpl. Rex Paredes.
House Deputy Minority leader and Bayan Muna Rep. Carlos Zarate stated that the Duterte administration’s “kill, kill, kill culture” in the police and military is enabling the aggravating state of impunity in the Philippines.
Even before these, the police, along with the whole Duterte administration, were criticized for many killings under OPLAN TOKHANG. Many victims were reported to be alleged drug addicts that fought against the police, which apparently left the officers no other choice but to shoot them. It is the directive of President Duterte to shoot those who are caught with drugs and he will back up every police officer who will do so.
With the worsening state of impunity and increasing number of police brutality in the country, it is difficult to say that the police will “serve and protect” us. Is it still good to entrust our safety to an institution that is constantly attacking innocent people and abusing its power? Who should we trust when those who vow to protect us are the ones hurting us?
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