An interview conducted by the Asian Human Rights Commission. The views expressed do not necessarily reflect those of the AHRC.
Philippines–I usually encourage crime victims to go to the police, but for my own problem I don’t feel safe
Beverly Anne Santos is 24 years old. She is a television reporter for a local television station in General Santos City. She is a Bachelor of Arts Major in Mass Communications from the Notre Dame of Dadiangas University (NDDU). In this interview, she speaks of her experience about the Filipino policing as a broadcast journalist.
What do you think of the policing system of your country? Is it good? Or do you think it should be different?
The country has a good policing system. As a journalist I am aware of that. For example, during elections, there was a gun ban order. Police checkpoints were required and they were ordered to prosecute violators. Good system. But the problem is with the implementation and application. Police produce few arrests, crimes involving illegal arms still exist. In General Santos City, PNP (Philippine National Police) checkpoints do not operate for 24 hours. They stop operating after midnight and have only two or three officers. With these weak points, not all vehicles could be stopped and subjected to inspection. Some vehicles can easily avoid the checkpoint, as the outnumbered cops are busy. To the second question, I suggest a particular system should be different especially here in General Santos City. That is the protocol on responding to crime scenes, i.e. murders. Instead of calling first the SOCO (Scene of the Crime Operatives) team. It should be the hospital or the ambulance first. In my previous coverage, people from the funeral homes usually arrive early. Maybe they should have regular safety training and permanent guidelines on responding to crime victims with the objective to save the life of the victim.
What do you think of police use of torture? Good, Bad? Kindly explain
Definitely bad! I am against all aspects of torture. Anyone, even criminals have human rights. Police use of torture is an abuse of authority. As a media person, I heard of police brutality allegations from arrested suspects. The country has given uniformed men so much power that they can over use it without prosecution. The people are afraid to oppose them. But I am happy, the country which upholds democracy is well informed and educated about the anti torture law. Few torture cases are reported. What the public should be aware about is police harassment. To us media persons, we have experiences of their hostility and arrogance to press freedom. One instance, during an attempt to get an interview at the CIDG (Criminal Investigation and Detection Group) office at Camp Lira earlier this year, at that time media were prohibited to enter the CIDG compound because they had high risk detainees. These were the Ampatuan clan, who were murder suspects in the killing of 57 people in Maguindanao. An ABS-CBN crew just entered the compound and to their surprise, a policeman greeted them with anger complaining about them coming inside the compound. One police even moved the camera away, knowing it was being filmed.
What is your idea of a good relationship between the police and citizens?
A good relationship could start if the citizens started trusting the police again. But for this the police must deserve their trust. An ideal relationship is where the police are seen as heroes, fighting evil, promoting the law. This will happen if only police has high morale, good leaders, have the best facility and efficient numbers to perform their duty.
If you have a problem, would you feel safe to go the police and complain?
In my job, I usually encourage crime victims to the police when asked. They are the government agency who has the power to enforce the law. But to my own problem, I don’t feel safe. I have valid experiences that I would not like to talk about. I believe the police still have a long way to go to be seen as heroes. In my experience, I had an interview with new police recruits and I learned that their major reason for enlisting is for financial reasons and not to become a hero. Police officers have stable salaries and benefits. Their salaries are paid from the government taxes. To many Filipinos, they apply to become police to find the answer to their problems not to be an answer to the problems of others.
Is there a domestic violence law in your country? If yes, is it well implemented? If none, what are the problems?
Yes, particular on women and children. But it is not well implemented. Indeed, many abused women and children had been rescued. But the problems come after the rescue. Local government units don’t have enough funds to shelter them well, provide them consistent food and other needs like education. Even private orphanages are not well supported. Repairing their buildings and finding sponsors are constant problems. There is a lack of a livelihood program for abused women. In many cases they go back to their abusive husband because they cannot fend for themselves.
