Thanks to technology, the cold-blooded murder of a 52-year-old woman last Monday night in Quezon City was recorded in detail by the victim’s grandson. The video showed police Master Sergeant Hensie Zinampan holding a gun behind his back as he walked toward his neighbor Lilibeth Luceno, who was in front of a neighborhood store.
There was an exchange of words, during which Luceno could be heard pleading with the policeman who was drunk. Zinampan pulled Luceno’s hair while shouting at her, pointed his gun at her neck and pulled the trigger as children wailed in the background.
Zinampan reportedly figured in a fistfight with one of Luceno’s sons last May 1. On the other hand, he claimed he was beaten up by the sons. This is hardly an excuse, however, for a police officer to murder his foes’ mother, who left behind six children. Neither is being drunk an excuse to perpetuate such violence, especially for a man who has been part of the Philippine National Police for over a decade. Behind bars, Zinampan has expressed remorse and reportedly said his victim’s son had shown him disrespect.
Respect, as often pointed out, is earned. PNP members in particular need to work to get this respect amid numerous reports of police brutality, corruption and other abuses.
The only positive aspect of this tragedy is that Zinampan was arrested immediately and now faces summary dismissal from the PNP apart from his criminal indictment for murder. His case has also firmed up the resolve of new PNP chief Gen. Guillermo Eleazar to institute reforms in police recruitment and to rid the service of scalawags.
Ironically, Zinampan had condemned on social media a similar incident last Dec. 20 in Paniqui, Tarlac. In that case, police Senior M/Sgt. Jonel Nuezca was also shown on video shooting pointblank his neighbor, 52-year-old Sonya Gregorio and her 25-year-old son Frank. The killing was also captured on video.
Only last May 24, police Senior M/Sgt. Christopher Salcedo shot dead Edwin Arnigo, an 18-year-old in the autism spectrum. Salcedo claimed Arnigo had scuffled for his gun when apprehended in a raid on a cockfighting game in Valenzuela City. But this story was belied by eyewitnesses who said the teenager was not even at the cockfight venue.
With such police officers, the PNP will need a gargantuan effort to gain public respect.