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Makati LGU urged to pass anti-discrimination ordinance amid profiling of transgenders
The local government of Makati City should step up to protect the rights of the LGBT community amid the ongoing police profiling of transgenders there, according to advocacy group Rainbow Rights Philippines.
"We appeal to Mayor Abby Binay, who has enjoyed the support of the Makati LGBTIQ+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex or Questioning) Community in the last elections, to exercise her control over the Makati Police and put a stop to the harassment [that] trans women experience," the group said in an emailed statement to GMA News Online.
"It is now time to honor the community’s support and, also, to pass an Anti-Discrimination Ordinance in Makati," it added.
The group pointed out that by inviting transgenders to police stations for profiling, the cops have found a way to drive them away from areas in Makati which are "infamous for establishments that discriminate" against the sector.
"Regardless of the intentions and motivations, the continued to implementation of Oplan X-Men means the continued violation of constitutionally guaranteed freedoms of movement and expression, among other substantial freedoms in the 1987 Constitution," it said.
In a now deleted social media post of Makati Police, the Oplan X-men was described as "an intensified operation that aims to rescue ladyboys from exploitation and human trafficking in ill-repute areas."
Makati City police chief Police Colonel Rogelio Simon, later on, apologized to the trans woman and relieved the the two policemen involved in the incident. He said that the members of the LGBT community are not being singled out in the process.
"It is a anti-criminality campaign directed sa lahat, in all forms of crimes na perpetrated by individuals, hindi lang LGBT," Simon said.
National Capital Region Police Office chief Police Major General Debold Sinas also said that there is no malice against the LGBT community in the conduct of such profiling.
"We will abide with the directive of the chief PNP. Wala po kaming kuwan doon... malice. Ito talaga ay ginawa ng Makati to at least determine, at least malaman natin sino ang involved sa crimes at probable targets," Sinas said.
The Rainbow Rights Philippines, on the other hand, is not convinced.
"The claim of lack of malice is completely irrelevant when law enforcement infringes upon the rights of the people," it said.
There is no legal and rational basis to carry out the profiling, and assigning persons "to be someone involved in a crime and inviting them for questioning" is already a violation of the right against warrantless arrest, according to the group.
