The tragic killings of Kian delos Santos, 17; Carl Arnaiz, 19, and Reynaldo “Kulot” de Guzman, 14, appear to be a relic of the past, a dark chapter in our history that we would rather forget. These killings were characterized by the horrendous acts of the police, who descended upon impoverished communities in their pursuit of the government’s war on drugs. Under the current administration, there has been a shift away from this violent approach, recognizing the human rights violations that came with it. The focus now is on prevention, rehabilitation, and dismantling drug syndicates. However, the six years of merciless campaigning, resulting in a death toll ranging from 6,000 to 30,000, has unfortunately normalized unprovoked killings among trigger-happy police officers who can’t seem to break the habit.
It is baffling to understand how the unnecessary killing of Jerhode “Jemboy” Baltazar by six Navotas policemen on August 2nd could occur. Jemboy was not a suspect involved in drugs or crime, but simply happened to be at the wrong place at the wrong time, much like Kian. Yet, he lost his life in a shoot-first-ask-questions-later operation, a case of mistaken identity that could have been avoided if the police followed proper protocols. Jemboy and his friend were innocently preparing for a fishing trip when the Navotas cops, acting on information about a murder suspect, mistakenly encountered them and immediately opened fire. Even as they tried to surrender, the police continued shooting, forcing Jemboy to jump into the water. But they didn’t stop there, firing at him as he submerged, resulting in his death. The police even attempted to twist the narrative, claiming that the 17-year-old had a concealed gun, a tactic often used during the drug war.
While commendable for swiftly apprehending the officers and pressing charges, the charge of reckless imprudence resulting in homicide only adds insult to injury. How can such a light charge be justified when the deliberate use of lethal force based on faulty or incomplete information is inexcusable? This goes beyond recklessness; it highlights a culture of violence, corruption, and abuse of power that has infiltrated the ranks of our law enforcement agencies, who are supposed to “serve and protect” the people. Recent incidents of policemen looting and engaging in illegal activities underscore the deeper problem of corruption within the organization. Efforts to reform and cleanse the Philippine National Police are falling short, as evidenced by repeated cases of brutality, procedural violations, and rampant corruption.
Interior Secretary Benjamin “Benhur” Abalos Jr.’s call for the resignation of nearly a thousand police officers involved in protecting the drug trade is a step in the right direction. However, the leadership of the PNP should take greater responsibility in instilling the fundamental value of respect for human life among its personnel. This begins with a thorough recruitment and training process, including psychological assessments to ensure candidates are fit for the job. The accountability system within the PNP needs to be revamped as well. Relieving erring officers of duty or transferring them to different units while claiming they are being dealt with is a calculated move to deceive the public. There should be appropriate administrative penalties for their actions and, if necessary, legal charges filed against them. The PNP must lead by example and demonstrate that the law applies to everyone, including their own ranks. As long as the perception persists that the PNP is shielding its own, the tarnished image of the organization will continue to erode public trust. The bad elements within the organization will continue their misconduct, knowing they can escape with minimal consequences. The light charges brought against the six Navotas cops in the case of Jemboy send a troubling message that the life of a poor individual is worth very little.
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