Aside from the unequal treatment between the rich and the poor, another problem that surfaced amid the COVID-19 pandemic crisis is the abuse of power.
This was apparent after a video of a police officer beating and cursing at a Quiapo resident even after presenting his quarantine pass went viral.
In the video, the said police officer was enforcing the enhanced community quarantine rules by threatening to fire bullets should the residents refuse to abide by the rules by staying at home.
He exclaimed, “Lahat ng lalabas nang wala sa oras, babarilin na, t***ina niyo!”
A man tried to go out and showed his quarantine pass but the angry cop shouted: “Bakit? Oras ba ngayon? Yan ba dapat mong gamitin ngayon? Put***ina niyo matigas ulo mo ah. Umuwi ka! Lalabas kayo akala niyo passes ‘yang quarantine pass?”
Upon seeing the video, actress and writer Bela Padilla took to Twitter on March 27, Friday, her reaction and disgust.
She wrote to her followers, “Is this the new normal? Nasan po yung compassion?”
https://twitter.com/padillabela/status/1243374734999339010
In a separate post, the On Vodka, Beers, and Regrets star insisted that despite the strict measures implemented to Metro Manila following the area’s lockdown, violence is not the solution and the least needed during this COVID-19 pandemic crisis.
“I understand that, marami po talagang pasaway. 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.”
https://twitter.com/padillabela/status/1243416345561018369
The Manila Police District said it was already investigating the incident and clarified that it would not tolerate any wrongdoing and abuses committed by policemen while strictly implementing the enhanced community quarantine.
Jake Ejercito and Jodi Sta. Maria has recently poured out their sentiments through their social media accounts because of the unequal treatment between the rich and the poor amid the COVID-19 crisis.
While a man was beaten and cursed for not following the rules given he had a quarantine-pass, one of the senators has violated the law they themselves have imposed.
It can be recalled that Senator Koko Pimentel III accompanied his pregnant wife to Makati Medical Center while he was COVID-19 positive which placed every medical professional, patient, and other people he came in contact with in possible danger. The senator apologized and asked for understanding and there were no legal consequences imposed on him despite his negligence.
On Twitter, Jake said, “Poor is guilty until proven innocent, rich is innocent until proven guilty” which is seemingly a swipe at Department of Justice’s call for “compassion” regarding Senator Pimentel’s negligence.
“Poor is guilty until proven innocent, rich is innocent until proven guilty.” pic.twitter.com/JVyx786oj5
— jake ejercito (@unoemilio) March 26, 2020
Meanwhile, Jodi encouraged everyone on Twitter to talk about compassion in this trying time.
https://twitter.com/JodiStaMaria/status/1242979815361110017
Aside from this, the actress also condemned the sellers of personal protective equipment (PPEs) who are taking advantage of the situation for their own benefit by means of overpricing.
https://twitter.com/JodiStaMaria/status/1242335113175654402
