Examinee No: 155

OPINION WRITING

The Tyranny of Trolls

Police brutality is a major issue that cripples in every part of the world. In experience to
reading a lot of articles that concern the abuse of power by authorities violating the victim’s
human rights. It is almost terrifying that these men-in-uniform are clowns hiding in their
disguise.

In a news article published by Rappler, last August 16, 2020 marks the third year since
Kian Delos Santos, a 17-year-old student, was killed by Filipino policemen in a high-profile case
that gripped the world, including the United Nations. The policemen in Delos Santos’ case have
already been convicted, but the killings in President Rodrigo Duterte’s war on drugs campaign
continue unabated.

The police officer that killed Kian was arrested, but do you think it we could have
grasped that kind of outcome if it was not heard by the whole world? If it was not published by
every news site, until it paved its way to be noticed by the United Nations Human Rights. There
are a lot of cases that are similar to this teenager who has been killed by this authorities that
abused their power.

“I can’t breathe!” three words that were uttered by George Floyd, a black American, that
then became one of the biggest issues of police brutality that received enormous backlash to
the Minneapolis officers that gave birth to the “Black Lives Matter” movement on social media. It
made us, Filipinos, be reminded of all the abuse of power by our authorities here in our country
and how it is still very evident up to this day.

In a 2018 statement made by the head of Philippine National Police (PNP), Chief Oscar
Albayalde, he mentioned that they would transform PNP from deadly predators to genuine
protectors of public safety and rule of law. But why can’t I even see the change up to this date?
From the 4,729 alarming casualties of their drug war years ago, there were still no clear updates
of the investigations held by the Department of Justice (DOJ). They are obviously hiding what we
hate to see, so that they would think they can get out of it for good.

These are the gimmicks that are created by this so-called protectors of our country.

Meanwhile, the passing of the Anti-Terror Law that has received negative comments
both to the public, members of the senate and various organizations that protect human rights
would be another avenue for this authorities to abuse their power. I personally think that the
implementation of this law would have a big impact on violating our human rights, not just of
us, but for the future generations to come.

Last, June 05, 2020, at least eight activists were illegally arrested by the police during the
rally against the anti-terrorism bill. Videos were even showed that some cops were in plain
clothes, entering the campus and chasing the students.

It made me want to let out a huge noise on social media as the policemen caught on the
videos were violating protocols on not wearing uniforms during the protest and illegally
detaining the students still with no pressed charges. However, they were accused and charged
later on with violating quarantine protocols even though they are just having a peaceful rally.
Neglecting the fact that they are having a peaceful rally and practicing social distancing.

In a popularized proverb by the Spider-Man comics, “With great power comes with great
responsibility.” Authorities should stop the abuse of power and use it for a greater will that
would serve its people with truthful justice. As long as the justice system is broken and favors
the people in power, its citizens could never have this sense of trust to the authorities