Engage Your Police

By Nash Tysmans

Engage your police. There is a lot of anger geared toward the Philippine National Police [PNP] and rightly so because a few of them have brought shame and cast a deep shadow of doubt upon the institution. But. It’s important to also appeal to their conscience. Since the news of 17-year-old Kian Delos Santos’ death went viral, some of my uniformed friends have quietly cheered me on, saying that now more than ever I need to tell the truth to help guide the actions of our policemen and soldiers. But then I ask: What about you? Will you not tell your own truth?

When I met with a contingent of police “thrown” to Basilan as punishment for crimes they did not commit (wala naman kasing kaso na isinampa sa kanila), I asked them how they would want me to tell their story. Should I reveal the incompetence of their leaders and directly attack the President and Gen. Bato? Paano ba ang gusto nila? It surprised me when they were unanimous in saying, “No, don’t attack the institution. Mali ang ginawa sa amin pero handa naman kaming magserbisyo.”

Many of our uniformed personnel go into the service because that is what it is for them — a service, a duty they feel compelled to dedicate their lives to. So, just as I mourn Kian’s death along with the others I have seen and met, I will also stand by the good policemen and soldiers whom I know and trust.

But let me be firm.

When you wear that uniform, you stand for an ideal that is embedded in the system in which you operate. I will hold you to that ideal because I have seen the good that comes out of being true to your mission and purpose. If you’re an asshole who commits a crime, I will have no fear nor recourse but to report you. Ganun yun, mga ma’am/sir. Pero sa mga panahong ito, balikan po sana ninyo ang buhay paglilingkod ninyo at magpakatotoo na kayo. Nakikita na natin kung paano kayo naiipit sa pulitika at gustohin ko mang depensahan kayo isa-isa, nararapat ding pagnilayan ninyo ang mga kaganapan.

You are being used not to serve your mandate in the constitution, not in the service of your country — but only in the service of few who benefit from making you scapegoats. Now is not the time to send me PMs anymore, mga kapatid. Now is the time to speak among your fellow police and military. Discern for yourselves if this is really aligned with your purpose. Eto ba ang dahilan ng pagpasok ninyo sa serbisyo? Can you proudly tell your children that this is who you have become? The buck also stops with you and unfortunately, when the time of reckoning comes, you will be judged for your crimes and none of us can help you. So, as early as now, pakatotoo na kayo! Let us help you but first, help yourselves.

Be true to your uniforms.

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The Kill List Chronicles

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The new protest literature in the time of Duterte. Because according to Umberto Eco, “To survive, we must tell stories.”

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