The finest POLICE force ever

By Ivan Hydlyde C. Goboleo


They were once hailed ‘The Finest’ because of their satisfactory and dedicated performance to their service. To serve and to protect people is their motto and their number one priority. They would even risk their lives in line of their duties. But as time passes by, do still the Philippine National Police be hailed as the finest police force?


With all the crime that is supposedly committed only by criminals, the people who were hailed as our protector and servicemen is now under the limelight. Name the offense, the PNP officers have also committed it. As the public reacts, some losses their respect to the national police and that ‘mamang police’ who is respectful, courteous, accommodating and always ready now fades out.


Many times, the national police were at the top of the headlines in several media outlets where they portrayed the irresponsible side of the police officers of the land. Let’s start with the most celebrated news last year - The Manila Bus Fiasco. Fiasco because indeed it’s a very embarrassing failure for the police officers. A former policeman who was dismissed from service due to false accusations against him, as what he said, took Hong Thai Travel Bus carrying Hong Kong tourists who only wanted to have sightseeing of the beauty of the country. But what happen to them? They were hostaged by former police officer Rolando Mendoza and commanded the said bus. The story ends with more or less 10 Hong Kong Tourists were slaughtered by Mendoza. Police officers shot their co-uniform, Mendoza was killed. A tragic incident that embarrass the country to the eyes of the world. But, if only PNP made the right moves, this would not happen in the first place. The said incident only shows that we have a weak police organization in the country.


For this year, there are celebrated news wherein police officers are involved in many crimes such as carnapping, kidnapping, rape, harassment, brutality, drug abuse, corruption, killings and many more. These crimes are supposedly suppressed by the national police but look, they are the ones involved in the said crimes. For the carnapping case for an instance, the Dominguez Carnapping Group, according to news reports, has a senior police officer who protects the operation of the said group. A certain PNP Director Boysie Rosales was named by an intelligent report as protector of the carnapping group, according to Arlene dela Cruz’s report in the Philippine Daily Inquirer. But the director denied the accusations against him. News reports says that there are still top officials who protect the carnapping groups, that’s why no question, carnapping is rampant. For the country like the Philippines, it’s not new already that police is once again involved in certain wrongdoing like this. Police are indeed criminals of their own uniform, not all.


Kidnapping, as what an Indian national revealed in the previous months that police are also involved in kidnapping. After they have kidnapped certain people, certainly Indian nationals, they would arrest, charge of different charges and illegally detain them. But after they would settle down to money deals, as in extortion, they would free them.


Meanwhile, a police officer was charged of raping a local folk inside the police office somewhere in Metro Manila. Harassment of police is everywhere, as what Tudla Productions, a media organization, documented during a rally in Manila wherein a San Juan police officer took photos and taunted media people. Brutality is at the blood of some police officers, it is. Who would forget the precinct police chief who tied the penis of an accused hold-upper just to squeeze information against the accused? Who would dare to see the police officer who smashed one of the rallyist at the back neck using the police shield during a dispersal operations of the rallyists Kuliglig drivers? Who might be amazed of what the police officers did to a rallyist driver where they carried the driver upside down almost kissing the grounds? Who might be shocked of the incident involving police officers wherein an arrested man shot inside the police premises in an attempt, according to them, to grab a police officer’s gun? They didn’t give the suspect the chance to start a new life.

Drug abuses are not just for ordinary folks but for some police officers too. GMA Network’s Imbestigador through its surveillance video caught on cam two police officers doing pot sessions in their police uniform. The police officers who were accused denied the allegations, one insisted that the video was taken long time ago before he entered the national police but Imbestigador also insisted that the video was taken recently.

Corruption in the Philippine National Police is also there, who would forget the so called Euro-Generals who skimmed the supposed budget for their fellow officers? There are also police officers who instead ticket the traffic violators, they would ask for settlement by means of asking money, again extortion.


Some police officers are also involve in serious killings. The most celebrated news up to now, the killings of Publicist Bobby Dacer and his driver Emanuel Corbito. The police officers are accused of doing the crime and one of them is the former Police Chief and now ready to show Senator Ping Lacson. Who would also forget the police officers who instead kill the suspect, has killed the hostaged? Lives has been lost due to arrogant actions by the police. And many more killings that involves police officers. And who would forget the police officers who plants evidences at the crime scene just to cover up their misdeed works?

PNP has still honest police officers

All these time, the Filipino people are already tired of the same old folks done by the national police. The police officers who sworn to protect the people. The police officers who sworn to serve the people. The police officers who sworn to be a good example to the people. But look at them now. It’s frustrating to say that indeed our National Police has a culture of brutality in their line.


But despite all these things, there are also ordinary police officers who are very dedicated in their service. What happens now is that all the authentic and honest police officers are being put to shame and being demoralized due to the offense made by their co-uniforms. We still have honest police officers in the land who are always ready to do what they have sworn in front of the people and what they have promised to God… and that is to serve and to protect people.

Gays deserves respect too

By Ivan Hydlyde C. Goboleo 

“People don’t have the right to judge them because of their being, they are also human being and deserves the respect of every people, which is actually right.” 

Probably nowadays, people are starting to understand the gay people. Probably because members of the third sex is now part of the updated world – before there were only men and women. Let’s accept it! God created Adam and Eve – it only means man and woman. No gays or third sex at all. 

But for many years now, people are starting to feel the same with the gay people who always been discriminated because of the path they chose. I always remember what I learned about the gay people when DZMM anchor Jun Banaag of his radio program Dr. Love Radio Show talks about it. He doesn’t condemn them instead he always advice to the members of the third sex that if they are happy to it then let it be, all we are in this world is to be happy. People don’t have the right to judge them because of their being, they are also human being and deserves the respect of every people, which is actually right. 

For the gay people, they always fight for their freedom. As our constitution stated that no person shall be deprived of life and liberty. Every human being, including the gays, is entitled to have a space in the world. Discrimination shouldn’t be done to them. Though some gays, not all of course, have this kind of attitude who wants to attract people around him by wearing these odd costumes even if it’s unnecessary. Like for an instance, you need to wear proper clothes when you are in a school, even if it’s washday or you just feel not to wear uniform still you have to wear descent clothes not with that backless or having a hairdo that almost covered your face with a dangling accessories anywhere in the your body part. It must not be the situation because if that happens people will really react negatively and you will feel bad. Don’t blame them, blame yourself because if you are a descent person, people will like you instead. 

Now, let’s have a closer look to it. Gays are human beings too only that they have unique characteristics that only them possesses, they act like girls but they have the boy’s organ – the penis, should I say that? Yes unless they undergo operation like sex change. Still they are considered boys. No question to that! I’m not being rude to the gay people, I’m just citing the truth. 

Months ago, there was circulating news about putting up a separate comfort rooms for the gay people in Metro Manila. For some, they are into it while some opposes it. “I don’t think it’s necessary,” one commented. “Gays are free to choose the girl or boy comfort rooms after all.” But in Cebu, a city councilor proposed an ordinance to set comfort rooms exclusive for the gays or members of the LGBT (Lesbian, Gays, Bisexual, and Transgender) community. If the said ordinance be passed before the city council, all business establishments in Cebu are required to comply or else they’re business permits will be revoked. The problem here, come on let’s face it, some gay leaders always wanted to come up with their proposals be always prioritized which is not actually a need but caprices. They just wanted to justify everything they want.

One angle which is very important here is that gays excel in their fields. They are the most productive when it comes to employment. They are creative, flexible and most of all versatile. That’s how I sees gays who are successful in their chosen fields, decent gays only. For an instance, the most respected gay comedienne because of his witty jokes – Vice Ganda. The reason why people love the showtime judge because of his humorous appeal which in every joke that he cracks, all must really be laughing. Despite the tirades of some critics, he in return just comment back without hurting them. 

Recently, I watched a search, gay search actually. In what I’ve seen in the contestants are the determination and strength to win the title even if they are not that so confident when it comes to their looks. Even if they got nervous, pressured or even disappointed through the duration of the search, win or lose, what I observed, still they are the happiest person on Earth. That should be the case. The happiness they got from things that would make them happy is priceless. 

Nevertheless, we are in a world wherein people really search for their best happiness in life. Let’s not then deprive any person to life. Even if you are a boy, a girl, or a third sex member, we all have spaces in the universe. An old proverb that always remind us “Respect each and everyone.”

PNP hiring process: A bloody battle

By Ivan Hydlyde C. Goboleo 

 It will be a bloody battle for aspirants to become a member of the Philippine National Police (PNP), not just in the true battle field but also during application, hiring and training process. Aspiring police officers will undergo series of trainings to become fully Police Officer 1 or PO1.

As mandated by PNP and the National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM) that recruitment management for aspiring police officers must be under the Civil Service Commission. They will be screened which include series of test that consist of fitness and physical tests that is in accordance with standards and guidelines set.

The agencies involved in the hiring process set a standard procedure for recruitment and selection of PNP uniformed personnel in order to insure the quality of personnel entering the police service and strengthen the foundation of the police professionalization. They established the so called General Qualifications for Appointment and every aspiring police officer should comply or else he/she can’t get a position in the national police.

The qualifications are, the aspirants must be a citizen of the country, with good moral conduct, must have passed series of psychological tests, drug tests, physical tests, must possess a formal baccalaureate degree, eligible candidate, must not dishonorably discharged from any agencies of government, must not have convicted by final judgment of an offense involving moral turpitude, must comply with the set height and weight both male and female aspirants, he or she must be 21 years old and not more than 30 years old.

Aspirants must also have the eligibility requirements, documentary requirements that include personal data sheet, background investigation result, transcript of records and diploma, National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Clearance, physical evaluation report and certificate of employment, his or her experience and training. All the documents submitted must be authenticated by appropriate authorities. 

If all the documents presented, the aspirants will be screened through Screening Committee established by the Chief PNP in each province, district or regional office that shall be responsible for the widest dissemination of vacancies in the area and determination of the fitness of the police applicants. Each committee is headed by different senior officers of the PNP together with the representatives from NAPOLCOM and different agencies chose by the Director General. 

 During the screening procedure, there will also be sequence of interviews and tests. In the first process during the preliminary interview, aspirants must present his or her history statement, birth certificate, pictures, and clearance papers from hometown police office, transcript of records and fingerprint card. He or she must pass the Physical Agility Test which is another requirement where he will perform like pull ups, pushups, sit ups and a hundred meter run and pickup and carry on shoulder test. Aspirants must also undergo Psychological and or Neuro psychiatric Test, a test that determines if the applicant has mental disorder.

Another test that the applicants must comply are Character and Background Investigation and Physical and Mental Examination. After these series of tests, that’s the only time the applicant will face the final interview. The Screening Committee shall interview the qualified applicant for suitability of police work. The interview shall aid in determining like ableness, affability, attitude towards work, outside interest, forcefulness, conversational ability, and disagreeable mannerism and so on. After the final interview, the applicants will be in a probationary period of at least 12 months.

After the probationary period, the applicants can already confirm his or her appointments but first the applicant must comply again through another series of requirements. First the original appointment requirements: PNP Form that must be accomplished, updated individual police profile under oath, school credentials, physical and medical clearance, birth certificate or baptismal certificate, report of the PNP Screening Committee, neuro psychiatric test or the PNP clearance, clearances from PNP, Regional Trial Court and NBI, fingerprint and handwriting specimen, passport size picture taken within six months prior to the effectively of the appointment, police eligibility report of rating and last oath of office. Once you have completed all the requirements, that is the only time you can serve as PO1 and authentic member of the Philippine National Police.

Police work is a noble profession, many young children wants to become a police officer once they grew up. But being police officer, with all those requirements to be complied, aspirants must possess this very important requirement - the love for work and dedication to serve the country and its people

It’s not on the training, it’s on the person

Many times police officers encountered different kinds of problems, from their morale up to the heinous crime that some police officers involve in. It is only part of the training of every policeman to undergo series of test, from the shouts of their seniors, to the task that they have to do in order for them to finish the course. Abuses of their seniors is not the problem, it depends on the aspiring police officer whether to maintain that kind of culture inside the national police or not.

It is not on the training of the police officers where the problem came, it is on the person’s capability to do what is right and to do what is wrong. If a police officer for an instance has this kind of bad attitude at all, nevertheless he is part of the abusive police officers in the country. The writer believes that if a police officer is honest enough, has a love and integrity for his work, he would not do anything that would ruin his name and the organization that he belongs to.

If only every police officers has the vision to really serve the country with all his heart, body and soul, the writer believes that no single crime is being committed or being involved by the members of the so called protectors and servicemen of the land – the Philippine National Police.

ANG BABAE SA SEPTIC TANK

The film follows the struggles of independent film makers to produce an Oscar-worthy movie. Mila, the lead role in their film, played by Eugene Domingo, is a dirt-poor mother living in the slums of Payatas. She is in need of cash to ease her children's suffering. Due to extreme poverty, Mila, in a desperate act to earn money, prostitutes her boy to a foreign homosexual pedophile.

The title of the film refers primarily to the final scene of the film where Eugene Domingo, portraying as a mother from the slums who, with her go-with-the-flow attitude, reluctantly agrees to let the camera roll after accidentally falling into a septic tank. By definition, a septic tank is a foul and putrid collection container of human waste. In the movie, the septic tank represents the present-day situation of the country that has become a filthy quagmire due to poverty. Falling into that septic tank is Eugene Domingo, who embodies not just every woman in the country but also every mother striving to keep her children from the stench that is poverty.

The film repeatedly showed scenes of slum areas in Metro Manila with excruciating poverty situation. It defines the real score of poverty-related issues in the country that affects the daily life of every human who live in the slums. According to the National Statistical Coordination Board or NSCB, the poverty incidence in the country among families, there was only a slight reduction during there-year period, from 21.1% in 2006 to 20.9 in 2009.7 The film also exposed the long-time environmental problem in the Metro – the Payatas Dumpsite that for years has become the major source of living for local folks collecting scraps that can be sold to junkshops like plastics, metals, among others. The Payatas Dumpsite represents the unbearable conditions that poverty-stricken families have to live with.

Due to poverty, Mila cannot bear to set her children living in unbearable conditions what she did is to sell her male child to sexually satisfy a homosexual pedophile. Mila’s desperation shows how too much poverty can drive people to criminal lengths.

The film Babae sa Septic Tank presents a clear picture of societal issues like poverty, and child prostitution. These issues demonstrate the real score of illnesses of the society especially in Metro and Mega Manila.

Following Eugene Domingo’s character, Mila, the film showed the lengths a dirt-poor mother will take to survive. Mila’s desperate act of prostituting her boy to a homosexual pedophile was brought about by poverty.

The dominant themes present in the film are Pedophilia/Child Prostitution and Sexual Tourism. It was clearly manifested through Mila’s act of selling her child just to earn money.

This societal problem is starting to grow in numbers. Recent reports states that some poor mothers resort to selling their own children to foreign pedophiles to earn money. And this is what was exactly portrayed in the film. The mother, even if it was against her will, sold her child to a pedophile to earn a living. This kind of wrongdoing by a mother is punishable under the law but the government authorities had failed to prevent these things from happening. This is an impediment to moral values of a Catholic-country like the Philippines.

In recent statement, US Ambassador Harry Thomas Jr. said that 40 percent of male tourists from US come to the Philippines for sex. Later, the ambassador apologized for his statement. But nevertheless, his numbers do matter. Many foreigners not just from the US, according to reports, come to the country for sexual pleasure. Again, this is an impediment to moral values of Filipinos but even so, the problem still proliferates.

The societal issues that can be extracted from the film are: (1) Poverty. (2) Child Prostitution and; (3) Sexual tourism. According to a rough estimate of US Ambassador to the Philippines Harry Thomas Jr., 40% of foreign men that would come to the Philippines come for sexual tourism.

ANG PAGDADALAGA NI MAXIMO OLIVEROS

Maximo “Maxi” Oliveros, a homosexual pre-teen, was completely devoted to his family of thieves. He was indifferent to their way of living. A fateful encounter happened one night while on his way home. Victor, an honest and righteous policeman, save Maxi from harassment. Maxi’s love story begins as he showed his affection for Victor. As Victor got close to Maxi’s family, they felt like a policeman nearby will only hinder their way of living.

“Ang Pagdadalaga” in English refers to the transition of a girl to womanhood – the time when a child matures to be capable of making own decisions in life. In the film however, it was Maxi who underwent this process, since he was a homosexual pre-teen. The transition of maturity for Maxi in the film was during such time when he developed affection to victor. Liking the same sex proved that Maxi is indeed a gay.

Maxi was openly gay and was fully accepted by his brothers, Bogs and Boy, and their father, Paco. Treated as the family’s only daughter, Maxi’s homosexuality was welcome and accepted. Outside the family, Maxi was also accepted but there was an instance when he was harassed by some teenage boys. The harassment reflects the current condition of homosexuality in the present Filipino society. It implies biased discriminations and criticism against members of the society who belong in the third sex. Another symbolic element in the film was the cross necklace that Victor wore. The necklace stands for the righteous bearing and authority a proper police officer should have. The character of Victor also embodies police officers that lead honest lives but soon succumb to suppression from society. 

Homosexuality in the country has been always an issue. People continue to criticize and discriminate those who belong in the third sex. In the film, discrimination was clearly shown when Maxi was harassed by two teenagers. It was Victor who stopped the harassment and saves Maxi from humiliation. This scene was crucial to the study because in the scene, Victor symbolizes a solution that keeps LGBT’s (Lesbians, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender) from discrimination. Local government units from different cities all over the Philippines have been proactive in passing and filing city ordinances banning LGBT discrimination.

In Quezon City, anti-discrimination in employment was enacted in 2004 and LGBT-friendly provisions are supplemented in the Quezon City Gender and Development Ordinance. Albay Province and Bacolod City passed an anti-discrimination ordinance. Angeles City not only passed antidiscrimination

legislation but created a Gay Rights Desk as well. In Cebu City while an anti-discrimination ordinance is being deliberated, a city resolution was filed urging the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) to issue a memorandum to all government agencies to include the LGBT sector in their Gender and Development (GAD) Programs. Another critical moment in the film was when Bogs, Maxi’s older brother, accidentally killed someone after a failed pickpocket attempt. It was a turning point in the film. Their once quiet life of petty thievery shifted into a display of outrage and confusion as authorities started to investigate the murder. The scene suggests that people involved in crimes, be it significant or small, can spiral into an even greater crime. In an attempt to stop Victor from investigating the murder, Maxi’s brother, Boy, and their father, Paco, beat up Victor and warned him to stay away from their family. The threat stopped Victor from further investigating and he distanced himself from their family. The sequence clearly shows how, despite being an enforcer of the law and a man of authority, a police officer can be powerless against criminals.

The period of Victor’s suppression came to an end as a new Chief of Police was appointed in their district. They both shared the same conviction against crime in their area. With the help of the Chief of Police’s influence, Victor swept the area of crime and continued with the investigation. With this, law was slowly restored. 

The film “Ang Pagdadalaga ni Maximo Oliveros” ends on a good note. The ending does not manifest any unresolved conflict or problem in part of the Maxi’s family despite of the loss of their father. There were no loose ends in the film. There were resolutions for each of the characters. Although Bogs was not punished for his crime, he left the life of pick pocketing and started to work honestly to support Maxi and Boy. On the other hand, Victor was successful in bringing down the criminal network in the area. Lastly, Maxi, with his new life away from always being an accomplice in crimes, started to go to school again.

The story portrays the issue of poverty in the present society. The lack of job opportunity in the family forced the characters to resort to thievery. The film clearly showed elements of poverty derived issues. According to research, unemployment rate in the Philippines is at 7.2% as of January 2012.1

Crimes involving police officers in the country for the past decades has always been one major setback to the Philippine anti-crime programs, much worse the inability of the police to serve and protect people which is their constitutional mandate. The powerlessness of the police to prevent crimes downgrades solely the morality of their institution’s vision and mission that foresees the society in a more conducive place for living.

While it is true that the acceptance of the members of the LGBT (Lesbian, Gays, Bisexual and Transgender) community has started to proliferate in the country, but still they experience discrimination. In the Philippine context were members of the family extends support to their children who has gay or boyish blood makes them feel accepted. The saying “kung saan ka masaya, anak, susuportahan kita” has been the source of inspiration among gays and lesbians who armed gain the guarantee of acceptance and equal treatment from their parents. In the case of Maximo, where he is freely accepted by his family and by the community in which he is part of is a classic example of the acceptance of the society to the homosexual.

Families in the Philippines despite their everyday hard work and patience to get over the sea of poverty, sill continues the bond among members. They are always ready to face challenges in life as long as they are together. In the film, it clearly shows the typical family in the Philippines that even with the family’s outstanding job status-stealing-has still support for each other, except one from Maxi himself but there is nothing he can do about it.

MASAHISTA

The urban area of Manila accommodates many prostitution establishments. Iliac is a migrant from Pampanga and works in one of these establishments as a masseur who tends homosexual customers. One night, Iliac meets a homosexual romance novelist. As their session progresses, his customer gradually grows fond of him and eventually it lead to consummation.

The title refers to the job of the main character, Iliac, played by Coco Martin. Their workplace was actually a male prostitution den. Since Iliac was uneducated, being a masseur was his only means of survival after moving to Manila from Pampanga to find a job.

Iliac’s willingness to lay himself bare for his customer, even going far as having sexual intercourse with him, are also points of concern. This shows just how much people are prepared to do anything for money. The gradual development of Iliac’s relationship with his customer reflects the degradation of morals and values of the people.

The death of Iliac’s father is one of the key points in the film. His father was bed-ridden due to liver complications and it drove Iliac to go to Manila to find a job even if it means prostitution. After his father’s death, his reason for being a masseur was gone and yet it was implied that he still continued to be a prostitute.Another is the development of Iliac’s relationship with his customer. At first, the customer was displeased with the selection of his masseur because Iliac was not the one he chose. After several sessions with Iliac, he grew fond of him and their relationship developed, and eventually lead to a sexual relationship.

The sequence reflects the situation of the present day Philippine society. At first, people may seem to be against unlawful activities but as these activities continue, people slowly become accustomed to them and eventually, these are absorbed by the society, staining it permanently.

The film had a loose end. Since there was no remedy to Iliac’s situation and it was implicated that he continued being a masseur for homosexual customers. It mirrors the present Philippine society, that people are indifferent towards an illicit lifestyle. 

The film “Masahista” presents a clear picture of how hard life is for rural migrants who engage in prostitution just to survive in Metro Manila. It also displays how people in the present Filipino society are willing to do almost anything for money whatever the consequences may be.

The dominant themes in the film Masahista are: (1) Resorting to prostitution as a last resort. Iliac was a migrant from the rural province of Pampanga. It was implied that he does not have high educational attainment. Therefore, he resorted to prostitution for him to help his bed-ridden father and;(2) Rural-Urban migration due to poverty. Rural poverty is the main reason why people from rural areas go to urban areas in search of a higher income.

The prostitution industry in the Philippines has been widely known. Most of the time, the poor people are the victims of this societal illness. Since they lack money to spend for education, they are unable to attain enough educational background that could have granted them the opportunity for decent job. As a result, they get involved in prostitution – they earn while selling a piece of their moral and dignity. The society may judge them but they are left with no other option but to stick to what keeps them sustained and alive.

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KINATAY

Set in the unfortunate side of Manila, the film follows a criminology student, Peping, searching for a way to earn quick money. Dissatisfied with the money he earns being a small time bet collector (kubrador) he unknowingly agrees to come along his fellow bet collector just to earn extra cash even if it involves murder.

The title “Kinatay”, in relation to the film, signifies the heinous crime committed by the drug syndicate who brutally chopped the body of a woman into pieces after failing to pay her debt. “Kinatay”, in English, means “Butchered”. In Filipino, the word “Kinatay” is mainly associated with the slaughter of cows, pigs, chickens and other livestock. In contrast, the title of the film is related to murder. 

It signifies how people are easily silenced and how criminals deliberately put the life of others into their hands. The title mainly refers to the torture and murder of Madonna, the guest-relation-officer. 

The existence of important symbols and images gave meaning to the story. Particularly, the criminology emblem emphasized on Peping’s back, the protagonist of the film portrayed by Coco Martin, symbolizes the unrighteous use of power. Despite the word “integrity” printed proudly on his back, Peping displays misconduct and manner unbecoming of a policeman. He shows no regard for what the word really means in relation to his future profession.

The gun used signifies violence, power and fear while the scream of the woman indicates the cry for help. The scene where the woman was tied and gagged inside the car indicates how women are powerless against abuse. Violence against women (VAW) appears as one of the country’s pervasive social problems. According to the 2008 National Demographic and Health Survey conducted by the National Statistics Office, one in five Filipino women age 15-49 has experienced physical violence since age 15.1

From the time of the kidnapping until after the murder, Peping had a consistent expression on his face. His facial expression shows his guilt and contempt for the crime. After witnessing first-hand the brutal torture and murder of a woman, the fear for his own life overwhelms him. Peping’s facial expression signifies how society fears to act against crimes.

There are sequences in the film that bear importance. The first important scene in the film was the abduction, bondage and torture of Madonna. It showed how vulnerable a woman can be in the hands of ruthless men. It also portrayed sexual battle putting women as victims of men’s vicious desire for crimes.

Second, the appearance of police cars three times was also a point of concern. The first and second appearances were during the transfer of the woman. As the van passed by these cars, the woman, in both instances was desperately trying to attract the attention of the police. Unfortunately, she was gagged and bound and only managed to muffle and wriggle. These incidences represent failed opportunities to escape from abuse and discrimination. The third appearance had the most impact. It was after the murder when they were about to dispose of the woman’s body. A police checkpoint stopped a truck filled with pigs while their van, carrying the woman’s mangled body, easily passed by. It is a clear representation of how women are undermined in today’s society. It implicates that women are nothing more than mere livestock. It may not be true in the Philippine society but it is true in other countries. 

Lastly, the torture, the murder and the disposing of the body were the sequences that should be given utmost importance. These scenes clearly and blatantly reflect abuse towards women.

The story was left open-ended. Since there was no resolution, it implies that even after the gruesome murder, society just continues normally and may remain blind and silent about the crime. The syndicate was left unpunished for their crime and there was no justice present for the woman. It mirrors how society undermines crimes and injustices, be it of major or little significance. Records say that there was an increase of 57% of crime rate in the first half of 2012 as according to the National Capital Region Police Office. At about 29,231 crime incidents were recorded, a record high compared 18, 671 June of last year.2

The film “Kinatay” presents a powerful message, a message that reflects issues concerning violence against women and the involvement of police officials in these situations. Police officers, who should enforce laws, turn into criminals instead. This was clear when “Sarge”, the person who murdered Madonna, turned out to be a police officer. He displayed no regard and gave no importance for their words: “We serve and protect”.

The themes present in the film “Kinatay” are: (1) Women are powerless against abuse. The film is clearly about the men abusing women; (2) Crime involving policemen. According to a news article in 2010, more than 2,000 administrative cases have been filed against police officers.3

Poverty in the Philippines is a major setback on the part of the government and its people. Though the government stays with their effort to counter poverty through its poverty alleviation programs, still for years, cannot solve the main roots of the problem. The film tackles how poverty in highly-urbanized cities in the metro continues to flourish and how widely residents accept the fact that they live below the poverty line. Most of these people are not able to finish schooling and has low chance of having a decent job that would sustain their daily needs. However, considered as a major reason why the government cannot simply eradicate poverty in the lives of most people is because of the fact that they are already used to it as part of the system.

The film clearly shows the unrighteous behavior of the policemen, breaking the law they are supposed to enforce. Crimes involving policemen are

also a major setback on the part of the authorities and even to the Philippine National Police itself. Police officers involved in crimes have been a big problem of the government in order to fully implement laws because the men, who are supposed to respect and implement these laws, are also the ones violating them.

The film “Kinatay” contains societal issues that are crucial to the study. The societal issues presented in the film are: (1) Drugs. According to the International Narcotics Control Strategy Report (INCSR), “The drug problem in the Philippines remains significant, despite the continued efforts of Philippine law enforcement authorities to disrupt major drug trafficking organizations and dismantle clandestine drug laboratories and warehouses. The Philippines faces challenges in the areas of drug use and production, law enforcement, corruption, and drug trafficking."4; (2) Violence against women. Gabriela Partylist, a partylist for women, said in statement that rampant violence against women in the Philippines are yet to be solved by the authorities in order to give justice to the victims. (3) Misuse of power by authorities. In the 2009 INCSR, the US State Department said corruption of police and other public officials remains an obstacle to better law enforcement in the Philippines,5 and; (4) Crime proliferation.