Serve and protect?

It is hard to fault our countrymen who decide to leave the Philippines. The primary reason has always been economics. There are so many other countries in the world that offer better compensation for the average person than what can and ever will be offered here in the Philippines. The other reasons are the standard and quality of life, good government, peace and order and safety. All these, apparently, this country neither has nor guarantees. Take the story of Fil-Norwegian Mikael Troy Rasay, 18 years old. He comes to the Philippines from Norway with a friend, to visit an ailing grandfather, and to take a vacation as well. A few days before he was to fly back to Norway, he tries to pacify a man who is having an argument with a woman. Filipinos know well enough not to get involved in other people’s arguments, but not being from here and probably with a natural urge to be peaceful, he does. This gets the ire of the man, who turns out to be one of Manila’s Finest. A small fracas ensues and when Mikael decides to just walk away, yet another non-Filipino trait, the policeman shoots him in the back, three times. As if to make sure he’s dead! Just like that, a young man’s life is snuffed out, by one of those sworn to “serve and protect”!

 It is no wonder that members of the PNP have a tendency to become violent at the slightest push. Recent video has surfaced that neophyte police trainees are subjected to physical pain, humiliation and borderline torture in the form of hazing. So even at the grassroots level of training, they are already conditioned to become violent, and to inflict pain, even towards the innocent! And why did he have to gun down an 18-year old? Was his life in danger while Rasay was walking away? Three bullets to the back speak of treachery to high heavens! And he is supposed to be a trained officer of the peace! So why on earth would anyone want to continue living in a country where people are afraid of their own police force?

 The brainstem cop is now in hiding, probably with a lawyer who is already planning his defense with a story that the kid threatened him in such a way that he has to shot him in the back three times. Yeah right. And while all of this is happening, I can only imagine the sorrow of Rasay’s family back on Norway, where up until last week, remained one of the most peaceful countries to live in. Leave it to a Philippine cop to end the all the dreams and aspirations of a young man. And for what? Once again, the PNP has showed why it is to be feared by balikbayans and tourists alike. Not so long ago, there was this bus of tourists from Hong Kong, who were also on their way back home.

Time and again, the PNP is put in a bad light by their own officers and men. The Euro generals, the PNP chopper scandal, the rapists, the shooters, the scalawags, the murderers. A good, honest cop has become the exception rather than the rule. When is this going to change? I have hoped that under the administration of President Aquino and leadership of Sec. Jesse Robredo, the PNP would purge its ranks of those undeserving to be called peace officers. Sadly, I have lost hope in that, as the police academy continues to accept applicants with questionable qualifications. Coupled with the uncontrolled hazing, the PNPA will only be churning out more PO1 Harold Meneseses, to the detriment of the country!