subject: The Irony of the Police Force [print this page] The Irony of the Police Force The Irony of the Police Force
On April 4, 2011 at about 8-9 o'clock in the evening, myself and my landlady were having chit-chat on things regarding her hilarious experiences when she was as a professor. We were laughing out loud at it. Minutes later, one of my lady board-mates arrived with her boyfriend. His boyfriend is a policeman, I often see him in the boarding house, but we are not friends.
He joined our conversation because he is a friend of my landlady. They were seriously discussing about carnapping and estafa which my landlady was a victim of.
Since we are not friends and had nothing much to talk to, I had a chance to stepped out the boarding house and puff my cigarette. While they were talking, I was also enjoying my cigarette.
Suddenly I heard a Ssssst, and I was surprised it was to call my attention. "HUI IKAW SUD DIRI!,"(HEY! You! step inside!) he said in a hard toned voice, and as if he was mad at me. I raised my right hand which flicked the cigarette, as a sign that I will get in, after this stick. So then, I stepped inside after consuming one. I was surprised, he started questioning me. Questions that I usually see and hear in the movies when police authority investigates a suspect in a police station. "From where are you?, how did you get here?, what is your real name? and the like, arrogance is apparent on the voice. I was even asked about my gender if I am gay. The worst, he showed me his chapa. I was really insulted. I asked silently, what have I done to you?
I tried controlling my temper then and just cried secretly. It was demeaning, humiliating and embarrassing. I do not deserve that treatment. He even proudly claimed that he is a graduate of Law. Personally, I do not need to be a graduate of such course. What is important is that, you know your right as a person and that you fully understood it. Your RIGHT as a citizen is a weapon against somebody who would try to violate it. Yes violate, because I know during that time my right as an individual was violated.
My landlady is elderly and is prone to be taken advantage with. If he thinks that I will steal and cheat on her, I would understand but I do not deserve that attitude he showed that evening. Everybody does not.
Harassment is any behavior that demeans, humiliates or embarrassesaperson, and that a reasonable person should have known would be unwelcome. It includes actions (e.g. touching, pushing), comments (e.g. jokes, name-calling), or displays (e.g. posters, cartoons). That evening I was a victim of such.
The following morning, April 5th, I was again talking to my landlady and confined her what I felt that insulting night. Her girlfriend heard me on this and batted in our conversation. She said, "Just don't be affected because he is always like that, sometimes he even hit persons that he is taking into custody, you know he is an investigator," , "Now, if you are not guilty you should not feel that way." she continued. I said, it is not your guilt who would tell you that you are already insulted. I felt that way because I am human and deserved to be treated like one. He could have asked me in a civil way. That chapa, is it necessary for him to show it to me? I do not know what that chapa for, but I am sure it will only be presented if arresting someone and the arresting officer is not wearing his police uniform. He is a police investigator he should know what ethics is.
I have checked from the website regarding these things, Unfortunately, I came to realized how come, some people does not know what their job description really is. And if they knew it, they would tend to go beyond their power, little realizing that somebody's right is already stepped in. It is vividly clear on the PNP's mission "To enforce the law, to prevent and control crimes, to maintain peace and order, and to ensure public safety and internal security with the active support of the community." HOW?, if PNP' s people do not even understand what their job really is. That uniform that they are wearing is very powerful. It could even raise somebody from where he is seated.
Sad to know that self-respect will be put in jeopardy and vanished from this organization. Knowing that this organization which ought to be given and deserves the highest kind of respect in the republic. You can not give what you do not have. Ironic is it? Please bring it back, rebuild it up so that the mission of this organization will be attained. Remember, YOU DO NOT ASK RESPECT, YOU ACQUIRE IT.
I am not a Law graduate but I know how does it feel when your right as a person who pays his taxes regularly is being stepped on.
