ACAB: A vague notion.
Tags: Philippines, Pnp, Hypocrisy, Police Brutality

Note that this article reflects my views.

Yesterday, a video of an armed man who shot a mother and a son circulated on several media platforms. The policeman was later on identified as a police sergeant. It was reported that the quarrel started with a boga — a Filipino-made bamboo canon which serves as an alternative to firecrackers. The policeman’s daughter was said to be startled by it. In the video, the police was trying to arrest the son with no particular reason. Later on, it was the mother and the policeman’s daughter who argued. In the video, we could hear the daughter shouting “My father is a policeman!”. With that being said, the mother mocked the daughter with an irritating response, “I don’t care! Eh eh eh eh”. The police suddenly looked at the mother, grabbed his handgun, and said “P-tang-na mo. Gusto mo tirahin kita ngayon? (Son of a b*tch. Do you want me to shoot you?)”

At first, 2 shots were fired; one at the mother and one at her son. That doesn’t just end there. An additional 2 shots were recorded; all aimed at their heads. As expected, dead on the spot.

The video was posted on Twitter, Facebook, and other media platforms. Human rights defenders, netizens, and critics attacked PNP (Philippine National Police) and their Commander-in-Chief, President Rodrigo Duterte. They propagated the hashtag #PulisAngTerorista, #StopTheKillings, and #ACAB (All Cops Are Bastards), as if it was the President’s directive to kill innocent individuals.

Now, despite the fact that the PNP already filed several cases against the criminal, they are still engaging in such discussions. They have thrown uncountable criticisms against the institution. I don’t really mind their criticisms since it is constitutional. But what I found irritating is their hypocrisy. Before I get into my arguments, I need you to know my bias:

Mistake of one is not the mistake of all.

Hence, the wrongdoings of an individual should only be blamed on that individual, not on its profession.

Let’s start.

Teddy Casiño, a former congressman.

Teddy Casiño, a former congressman, stated his grievances towards the event that happened. For the information of everybody, as what I have observed, Teddy is very critical to law enforcers. BUT what made me say that he is indeed a hypocrite?

Recently, he was tagged by the said CPP-NPA official Jeffrey Celiz, as a member of Communist Party of the Philippines. He once again denied this accusation. He negated the claim that the Makabayan Bloc is a part of rebellion. But what’s doubtful is the contradicting claim of the NPA (New People’s Army) that surrendered. To clear things out, the Senate of the Philippines started an inquiry about the issue of red-tagging led by Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson. During the hearing, Senator Lacson asked Teddy.

“Do you consider them (CPP-NPA) as enemies?”

What’s truly obnoxious was his response.

“Definitely, we do not consider them as enemies. They are committing an illegal act but we do not judge them to be enemies. Just like we don’t consider the members of the MILF or the MNLF as enemies, we also do not consider the members of the CPP-NPA-NDF as enemies. They are revolutionary groups. We may not agree with their program, we may not agree with the way that they are pushing for their agenda but ang attitude namin sa kanila is engage.”

“I’m sorry to say this but I cannot reconcile.” — Senator Lacson

The CPP-NPA-NDF killed almost 50,000 individuals, and this guy cannot even condemn their actions. If this is not tolerating rebellion and violence, I don’t know what is it.

Another narrative to destroy is this:

“Until the good cops speak up and do something about the rotten system, there are no good cops. Tolerating their behavior makes you as bad as them. If you do nothing about it, their blood is in your hands.”

To the people who formulated and propagated this idiotic and insensitive statement, too bad you’re not heard enough.

“Until the good cops speak up and do something about the rotten system, there are no good cops.”

The good cops are extremely far from these filthy cops. I read an article about the front-liners risking their lives during the devastation of Super-typhoon Rolly. Relief goods were delivered and those who were stuck during the flood were rescued. But then you have the audacity to brand them as “bad”? I’ll let you answer that. Mind that the PNP has a role in ensuring the safeness in your area. Does it fall beyond the definition of “bad”? Again, I’ll let you answer that one.

“Tolerating their behavior makes you as bad as them.”

Cops are not tolerating them. It can be proved by researching about the cases filed at him when he surrendered at the police. They, the police, condemned this very horrible crime. Would you mind, again, if I remind you that Teddy Casino, and other heads of these so-called “progressive” groups cannot even react to the inhuman, gross, and filthy attacks of the CPP-NPA?

“If you do nothing about it, their blood is in your hands.”

Lastly, this statement is very stupid.

Think.

If I am a doctor and I failed to save lives because of my naive thinking, would that reflect the intellect of all the doctors? If I study in Ateneo and you find me stupid in studying, does it imply that the knowledge of all the students of Ateneo is the same as mine? If a man rapes me, does it represent all the men?I’ll let you answer that one.

To end this, don’t let your feelings take over your mind. You’re maybe too smart to grasp the difference between them. Not all cops are bad, and not all cops are good. That is the truth. Stop perpetuating detrimental, insensitive, and derogatory remarks.