I usually do not feel much pity for criminals, even for petty thieves who steal cellphones or those who get into houses and steal. But when I saw that video of that poor, skinny man being tortured by policemen, I couldn't help but really feel sorry for him. It turns out the instigator of this police torture methods is a feared policeman in Tondo, one of the most notorious crime-infested places in Metro Manila. Just the mention of Tondo would make any sane, middle-class person find a way not to pass through that place whether day or night. But did that tough-as-nails policeman really have to go overboard with his investigation methods? If he was investigating a more horrific crime or something that involves national security, maybe we could give him some leeway, but for petty thievery? Maybe not. It reminded me of that Israeli woman who photographed herself smiling with several blindfolded Palestinians behind her. Something was wrong with that picture. Something was wrong in that video.
I know the stress that goes with policing a tough area like Tondo will be literally sky-high! So maybe sometimes, the police there have to go overboard sometimes when they apprehend suspects just so they can catch the perpetrators of the crime. But to humiliate the suspect by asking him to strip and to kick him and to make him eat a cockroach, whew, those maybe actions of a lunatic working as a policeman! Yes, be tough on suspects! Yes, be tough on criminals! But be tough within what is justifiable or at least, morally correct. And then maybe reserve the Dirty Harry tactics on the more insane criminals or those who never learn their lessons.
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