Bela Padilla says no to violence after seeing video of police officer cursing at resident in Quiapo
Actress Bela Padilla lambasted a police chief on Twitter after seeing a video of the said officer hitting and throwing expletives at a resident in Muslim Town (Golden Mosque) in Quiapo, Manila.
In the video, the police officer was issuing a warning to those who will not abide by the rules of the government.
He exclaimed, “Lahat ng lalabas nang wala sa oras, babarilin na, t*ngina niyo!”
As he walked towards the entrance of the Muslim Town, he reprimanded a male citizen who he claims to have breached quarantine protocols.
While the resident tried to explain himself, the police officer began to hit him with a wooden stick.
The police officer then adds, “Ikaw! Bakit ka lumabas? Oras ba ngayon? ' Yan ba dapat gamitin ngayon? P*tangina niyo matigas ulo, umuwi ka!”
Upon seeing the video, Bela couldn't help but show her disgust to the officer's attitude and asked her followers, “Is this our new normal? Nasaan po 'yung 'compassion?'”
And while the enhanced community quarantine announced may have implemented strict measures to Metro Manila, Bela insisted that violence is not the answer during this time of COVID-19 crisis.
She wrote, “I understand that, marami po talagang pasaway [sa panahon ngayon]. But, violence is not the answer.
“It doesn't only hurt physically but it also strips off a person's dignity. Sa panahon ngayon, lahat tayo kailangan habaan ang pasensya.”
According to a separate report by GMA News Online, the Manila Police District said it would conduct an investigation on the video circulating online involving a cop threatening and cursing some residents in the control point in Quiapo, Manila.
Chief Brigadier General Rolando Miranda of MPD said in a text message, “Pa-i-imbestigahan ko ito. Kanina ko lang nalaman.”
Similarly, according to the Philippine National Police deputy chief for operations, Police Lieutenant General Gulliermo Eleazer, the PNP does not tolerate any abuses committed by cops.
“'Yun ay ating iimbestigahan. Hindi hahayaan ng pamunuan ng PNP na mag-aabuso ang pulis o sinumang namumuno o kawani ng gobyerno sa mga pagkakataong ito na kailangan natin ng pagtutulungan at sakripisyo,” he said.
Meanwhile, Bela Padilla is one of the few celebrities who heeded the call of street vendors affected by the Metro Manila quarantine.
On March 18, it was reported that the actress was able to raise more than PhP 3 million to donate food to Metro Manila vendors who won't be able to rely on their normal sources of income.
Bela Padilla raises more than PhP 3M for street vendors affected by quarantine in three days