ACT-CIS Partylist Representative Rowena Niña Taduran on Saturday, October 16, proposed a nationwide evaluation of the mental and emotional condition of policemen after another reported criminal act by a supposedly protector of the people.

Taduran made the call as a woman motorcycle rider was allegedly raped by a police sergeant after being flagged down at a checkpoint in Mabalacat, Pampanga.

“May mga mapang-abuso ng kapangyarihan at nakakaisip ng mga karumal-dumal na gawain sa mga taong pinangakuan nilang pagsilbihan at protektahan. Ang checkpoints ay itinatag para maipatupad ang seguridad at maiwasan ang pagkalat ng COVID-19, hindi para gamitin ito ng mga gustong mang-abuso (There are the powerful who commit unspeakable acts against the people they are sworn to serve and to protect. Checkpoints were put up to secure people and prevent the spread of COVID-19), not used to commit abuses),” she stressed.

The House assistant majority leader noted that this is not the first time the “power of the checkpoint” has been abused during the time of the pandemic.

She recalled the 34-year-old retired military man who was suffering from post traumatic stress disorder was shot dead by a policeman in a checkpoint at Fairview, Quezon City last year despite the pleas from locals who knew the victim.

“Nasaan ang konsensya ng mga pulis na nakakagawa nito? At bakit nila naiisip ito sa kabila ng kanilang pangakong po-protektahan ang mga mamamayan (Where is the conscience of policemen who did this? Why did they do this despite their sworn duty to protect the citizens?),” Taduran asked.

On the other hand, she praised Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief General Guillermo Eleazar’s prompt action by opening an investigation of the alleged rape case at a checkpoint in Pampanga.

“I really hope that the PNP will consider a mental, emotional and even physical evaluation of all policemen in the country to know if they are fit for the job. Hindi lang naman ang mga kaso sa checkpoints ang nagiging problema (Police abuses are not confined at checkpoints). Marami pang iba na involved ang mga law enforcers na nagiging law breakers (There are cases where law enforcers have become law breakers),” Taduran appealed.

Taduran also called on all those who may have been victimized by the so-called “power-trippers” to come out and file the necessary charges to clean the police force from these law breakers.