by Harry Roque
It was not the ideal image to wake-up to. There he was: naked, emaciated and cringing from pain whenever his torturer would pull the rope attached apparently to his sex organ. He was hog-tied like a beast lying on a cold floor. His torturer, on the other hand, was stocky, full of energy, and apparently, god-like in the belief that he had in his hands—literally and figuratively- the decision on whether his victim was to live or die. Only a beast would not be moved by the said image. And yes, being the squeamish person that I am, I could not help but shed a tear or two after seeing that disturbing image.
Perhaps, the only good thing that came out of this image of torture is the public indignation that it created. It was indignation over the fact that these barbaric acts are still happening in this country at this time and age. It was also indignation at the fact that contrary to public perception that torture is practiced in remote areas of the country, here was proof that it is also happening at the heart of the metropolis, even in Tondo, Manila. We probably needed to see that image to remind us that regardless of who occupies Malacañang, torture persists and with impunity at that. The helpless victim, and the brave soul who publicized the video, have reminded us that unless and until we successfully put torturers behind bar, more of us may fall victims to this barbaric and heinous act.
Click here (Harry’s blog) for the rest of the story.
21 August 2010
Ms. Ellen;
If Physical and mental and/or psychological pain, then this you have to know. According to a friend this ambassador is guilty of the following:
1. allegedly, two of the embassy local hire were terminated this year. One allegedly for failing to follow one of the ambassador’s order.
2. allegedly, few of the embassy people are being picked upon by this ambassador (that is psychological and/or mental)
3. solicitation for the improvement the embassy, and
4. this ambassador has been (allegedly) overstaying in this embassy and causing a lot of nightmares, (because malakas daw kay secreatry romulo).
My friend could detail some information if you want it.
prans
The moral of the story is : Never make a video of anything you’ll be sorry for in the future.
I’m not condoning torture, but try to put yourself in the shoes of the one victimized by snatchers, akyat bahay gang, holduppers (is there such a word), or kidnappers, maybe even murderers…and see if you can readily say “please forgive them for they do not know what they are doing.”
Some petty criminals are making mockery out of the police, too. I’ve had fresh first hand experience of teenagers getting caught snatching, robbing, slashing, pickpocketing, whathaveyou, in the end they just wait for the DSWD lecturer and go scot-free an hour or two afterwards. Then they’re back in business.
Just this year, 2 kids aged 15 and 18 years scaled our fence and took our washing machine in the garage. Even if we had not described the suspects, the barangay already knew who the perps were. They picked them up and brought them for identification by the witness. They were positively ID’d but that’s as far as they can go the tanods exsplained, while showing us an inch-thick folder full of their reports of akyat-bahay activities of the same suspects. They said it was up to the DSWD social worker to give them “advise” and let them free.
The victims are left with no recourse, no justice after all, and the criminals are laughing at us behind our backs. It’s stupid that victims fall prey to little bandits cloaked with impunity by some stupid law…unless you take the law in your hands.
These are done by these kids today, who knows what they’re capable of when they’re older? Rape? Murder? Sure, we all cry human rights violations every time someone gets caught but what about the human rights of the victims?
Many of these small-time criminals are a menace to society. They get their fair treatment I’m sure in their first few cases. The moment they leave jail (or jump bail), they’re back to their old trade. That’s when cops resort to more drastic measures, torture among them. But should they still commit the same crimes afterwards, the ultimate solution is salvage, or summary execution.
In the case of the Tondo torture, the inhuman treatment did not even stop the criminal from his ways, he got what he asked for later.
It’s the failure of the whole criminal justice system that’s at fault here, not just the policeman. Repeat criminals, or recidivists, are not deterred even by torture (much more jail where they even get free board and lodging) knowing there is no definite guarantee of prosecution and punishment.
Human rights cuts both ways – that for the criminal and maybe more for the victims.