Make an example

There are days when I regret entering the internet. Last Monday was one of them. I read about a fifteen-year-old girl who after lodging a complaint against two policemen for rape in Ilocos Sur was killed on her way home. Her cousin survived, thank goodness. The two monsters have been charged by the PNP in connection with the murder. The victim and his cousin were arrested for allegedly breaking curfew rules. Police Sergeants Randy Ramos and Marawi Torda then abused them both. Who else would kill her? Who else would have the motive to silence her? Her only enemies at fifteen years old are these horrible cops.

PNP Chief Gen. Archie Gamboa did not mince words. "They are not men in uniform but animals who deserve to be jailed for life. Mga walang kwentang pulis." Gamboa wants the case to progress rapidly against the two. All the witnesses are being helped to ensure these two are jailed for life. Napolcom will also conduct its investigation. The NBI should join in.

Gen. Gamboa presented the right attitude this time. I thought he would still defend these two. This is why the people's image of the PNP is so difficult to change. An argument can be made that these are only two bad cops from the thousands of good ones. The problem is, how does one tell the difference? Did the victim know she would only be fined or detained for a while, knowing the two are law enforcers and not sexual perverts who would rape her? Can anyone tell the difference between the good cops and the monsters in uniform? I admire the courage of the two girls in filing a complaint against the cops. But that courage was silenced by the bullets of demons.

Police kill a soldier struggling with PTSD. Police kill four soldiers chasing an extremist bomb maker. And now police officers allegedly raped and killed a young victim. To be fair, I would like to mention two wonderful policewomen in Puerto Princesa who collected money to buy groceries for an old man that frequented their area in search of food. Patrolwoman May Flor Galvez Aplaon and Patrolwoman Riza Ulson Valdez went to buy groceries but when they were short for funds to pay, good Samaritans likewise stepped in to help. These police officers belong to the Field Training Program of the Puerto Princesa City Police. May they never lose their way.  If only we could read good news such as this about the police every day. Where the people's apprehension when simply approached by police would disappear. With the case filed by the PNP against the two opportunistic perverts, surely many want swift justice for the felled victim. The system must make an example of these two. The PNP must show it will not tolerate law enforcers breaking laws, and how swift, harsh punishment awaits them.