Trans woman cries foul after Makati cops invite her to station ‘for profiling’

A transgender woman has accused two Makati policemen of inviting her to the station on account of her being a transgender person.

According to Marisol Abdurahman's report on "24 Oras", a Facebook post that has since been deleted indicated that Makati authorities had what it called "Oplan X-men."

It is described as "an intensified operation that aims to rescue ladyboys from exploitation and human trafficking in ill-repute areas."

In a video taken on Makati Avenue around 11 p.m. on Friday, two cops were recorded arguing with Anne Pelos and her group of friends after she was invited "for profiling."

“Alangan naman kukunin niyo po lahat ng mga transgender na maglalakad dito,” Pelos said.

“Oo, ‘yun ang instructions sa amin,” the cop said.

Makati City Police chief Police Colonel Rogelio Simon on Monday personally apologized to Pelos over the incident.

Simon said the two cops in the video have already been relieved.

“The anti-crime strategy namin or ‘yung intervention na ginagawa namin is not directed alone sa LGBT community. It is an anti-criminality campaign directed sa lahat, in all forms of crimes perpetrated by individuals. Hindi lang ng LGBT,” Simon said.

Philippine National Police chief Police General Archie Gamboa also said individuals may refuse police invitation if they are not being accused of a crime. —Julia Mari Ornedo/NB, GMA News