2017 is almost over but the killings are not.
One would think that we could just wait until this harsh, crime-filled, fake news-saturated, killer year is over. Originally, this piece, my last for 2017, was meant to be a positive, encouraging, hopeful one because of how politically difficult and scary this year has been to many. But it is very hard to try to lift others’ spirits when one’s own seems to be lower than the usual low.
People, including myself, are again up in arms because of the Mandaluyong shooting that killed innocent people as they were helping bring to a hospital a woman who had earlier been shot. The woman they were trying to save also perished when she reached the hospital. Her companion died earlier during the shooting. Two more people were hurt due to the incident.
What has angered people all the more is the fact that those involved in the shooting were the police and a barangay tanod. They indiscriminately fired at the vehicle more than 40 times WITHOUT verifying who were inside, and merely relied on the wrong information given them by the tanod.
The police said that this was a case of mistaken identity as the uniformed men thought that the vehicle they fired at was the runaway car of those who earlier shot the woman. However, one of the three survivors of the shooting said that they were shouting at the police saying that it was an emergency and they were bringing the injured to the hospital. The police, however, just kept on shooting at them.
As of this writing, the 10 policemen who were involved have been administratively relieved and Malacañan Palace promised a thorough investigation of the matter.
People are supposed to be in a celebratory mood to usher in the coming year in the hope that 2018 will be much better. But we end 2017 with more killings by the police on top of the more than 12,000 deaths due to President Rodrigo Duterte’s war on drugs.
The Mandaluyong shooting has brought to the fore serious concerns about the police’s capability in carrying out its responsibilities. Those who know say that in this case, the law enforcers did not follow their own Manual of Operations that does not allow firing on a vehicle without confirming that those inside are armed. If those involved did as they were supposed to do, the useless deaths and injuries could have been prevented.
The PNP’s non-adherence to its own rules have been questioned many times before particularly because of several deaths in the hands of security forces caused by mistaken identity. There must be a way for them to follow their policies.
The enforcers’ sole reliance on false information given them, and their failure to verify the identities of those in the vehicle are highly questionable. The police did not hesitate opening fire at a vehicle with passengers that they did not actually know to be the suspects in the crime committed earlier. This kind of bravado is alarming. It was as if they did not care if those they could kill were innocent or not. Was this a shoot-to-kill mission? In a pursuit, are the police not to issue warning shots first and if warranted, they shoot to maim, not kill? Where do the police get the audacity to just kill?
Remember the killing of Kian? The police also claimed that their information about the boy being a drug pusher came from Facebook. Yes, Facebook, and they murdered him.
How the PNP gathers and processes the information they get should seriously concern us.
Sobra ang lakas ng loob ng mga pulis na pumatay. Is this because they have been promised protection not only by the Chief PNP but more importantly, the President? This impunity must end.
Another thing that should be ascertained is whether the involved barangay tanod were armed or not. A close monitoring of statements by police officials can make one believe that the barangay tanod who were first in pursuing the van carrying the wounded woman were also the first to fire at the vehicle.
Are barangay tanods supposed to carry firearms? This is unusual because in the barangays that I have been in many areas of the country, tanods only carry sticks when they go about their duties.
Also, some Mandaluyong residents on Twitter claimed that their tanods do not have guns. If this is true, why are we given the impression that the tanod were the first to fire? Are they being framed as fall guys?
This is an important point because the barangay tanods are the first responders in communities. It will be very dangerous if they are allowed to carry guns. Ordinary people could be more vulnerable to abuse. Remember, too, that the PNP is now back in the war on drugs. The Chief PNP has even announced that “tokhang” operations will resume. We already know that they go through the barangays in doing this. What can happen if the tanod are armed?
Just recently “drop boxes” have been distributed to barangays in Quezon City. These boxes are where people can put names of those they suspect to be criminals or involved in drugs. Anybody’s name can be put there. Anyone with an axe to grind against anybody can report his/her enemy as a “criminal.” If like in the Kian and Mandaluyong cases, the police do not even verify information, how many more will be killed in the name of the war on drugs?
Things are not looking good. Much as I want to greet everyone a happy new year, I would rather that everyone is safe. So, for 2018, safety first.
bethangsioco@gmail.com @bethangsioco on Twitter Elizabeth Angsioco on Facebook