Community pantry in Manila faces profiling

MANILA, Philippines — A community pantry in Manila was allegedly profiled by a police officer in civilian clothes on Wednesday.

The incident happened at a pantry near a barangay hall, according to “Tina,” who requested anonymity for fear of reprisal.

Speaking to The STAR yesterday, Tina said a plainclothes police officer asked for her name and told a kagawad they were asking for names of pantry organizers because they were hunting for a notorious car thief.

“If you’re looking for a carjacking suspect, why are you asking about the pantries?” Tina said in Filipino.

Tina said she feared for her safety after the incident, especially because another police officer last week asked the co-organizer of the pantry for her affiliation. The police officer also asked for her friend’s number to ask some follow-up questions.

The latest incident followed another profiling of a community pantry in Pandacan, Manila, set up by resident Marikit Arellano, who said police approached her and asked for her name.

The pantry closed down last week due to red-tagging fears.

Manila Police District director Brig. Gen Leo Francisco maintained that he has not given orders for pantries to be profiled.

“Our order is not to interfere with the pantries, and instead help them if they request for security,” he said.

The National Privacy Commission has called on authorities to stop the profiling and red-tagging of pantry organizers.

The Ateneo Human Rights Center also reminded law enforcers to respect people’s rights under the Data Privacy Act.