Local Blogger Shares Story of Police Abuse

Posted on April 27th, 2010. Written by Rico.

According to blogger “J” (pictured), policemen based in Barangay Talipapa, Novaliches in Quezon City are guilty of illegal detention and extortion.

Update available here.

J’s account talks about his mom visiting a certain “Janet” in a Tandang Sora slum, regarding a debt of “some thousands”. As J’s mom, her friend “Maximo Gabriel”, and other companions were about to leave Janet’s place, two policemen identifying themselves as “Allan” and “Mar Palic” arrived. They accused Maximo and his companion of drug possession. The rest of the account—which ends up with J’s mom giving the cops fifteen thousand and her phone in exchange for release from jail—is here.

Use Technology, Assert Your Rights From the Get-Go

I was once with a friend when he was invited by the police down to the station for questioning (they also wanted me to tag along). He calmly refused their invitation, asking if he was under arrest, and for the identity of the policemen and the location of their station. The police said no, and proceeded to identify themselves and their home station. My friend and I immediately called friends and family, explaining the situation and sharing details with as many people as possible. He politely refused the policemen’s continued invitations and eventually they left.

J is using technology (blogging and the internet) to spread his story. From personal experience however, you should use technology (cell phones) to inform others about your situation as soon as possible. Don’t be confrontational,be polite, but assert your rights from the start. Don’t be lured in by statements like “if you’ve done nothing wrong, what do you have to hide?” Never back down from intimidation, but never violently resist; remember that “presumed innocent until proven guilty” only applies to those who assert it immediately.

Very useful information is available here: Know Your Rights Redux, Part 6: “We Would Like To Invite You for Questioning Regarding The Jester-in-Exile…”