Muslim, transgender profiling a form of discrimination – OVP

Amid reports of Muslim and transgender profiling by the Philippine National Police (PNP), Vice President Leni Robredo’s spokesperson warned on Sunday that such police tactics were a form of discrimination under the law.

“Talagang maling mali ito, dahil sa ilalim ng ating konstitusyon, sa ilalim ng iba’t ibang mga batas na ating pinaiiral, malinaw na ang profiling ay isang uri ng diskriminasyon,” Robredo’s spokesperson Barry Gutierrez said.

“Ibig sabihin, wala namang ginawang krimen, pero dahil sila ay bahagi ng isang grupong ethnic o religious, iyon iyong ginagawang dahilan para sila ay harassin at ipitin ng mga awtoridad.”

Gutierrez also slammed the policing method as “lazy” compared to conducting an in-depth investigation into a crime.

However, the spokesman also acknowledged and lauded the PNP for recalling the memorandum calling for the use of the tactic.

“Natutuwa naman ako na kahit paano medyo binawi na, inatras na noong PNP itong pahayag na ito,” Gutierrez said.

Last Friday, the National Capital Region police chief recalled a memorandum ordering police to submit a list of Muslim students in Manila, a document that was slammed as “profiling” by the Alliance of Concerned Teachers. 

Earlier last week, Makati police also came under fire after cops were caught on video inviting a transgender woman to their headquarters for “profiling.”  — Julia Mari Ornedo/DVM, GMA News