When I was young, I trusted the police. My grandfather was once a police chief in Bohol; his men were very polite in words and actions. He said: “You can trust the policemen because their work is to maintain peace and order.” I thought my grandfather’s ideal of a policeman would not change over time.
But the image of the Philippine National Police has been spoiled by some of its men, an example of which was reported in the article “5 Quezon cops relieved over foiled salvage” (11/21/18). The policemen were charged over their alleged involvement in an attempt to kill a pedicab driver. Another report was on the PNP’s antiscalawag unit finding grounds to charge 17 policemen, including their commander, over the merciless killing of a minor during a buy-bust operation.
In the meantime, the PNP has questioned “Ang Probinsyano” for portraying policemen in a bad light. Whether realistic or not, the public knows the popular drama series is only being truthful.
Can we still trust the police?
ARSENIO UNAJAN BAQUILID, arseniobaquilid@yahoo.com