Amid the incomplete information released by Philippine National Police regarding the death of flight attendant Christine Dacera, another issue which spouted from the mouth of Makati police chief, Col. Harold Depositar caught the attention of celebrities and netizens.
Apparently, Depositar claimed that despite being gay, the suspects were still men. And when intoxicated, their behavior may change, implying that they might assaulat women.
“Ang mga bakla, lalaki pa rin sila. May instinct yan, lalo at may impluwensya nang intoxicating alcohol,” the Makati police chief said in an interview.
The statement was made when a suspect turned himself in and presented himself for questioning. Jigo De Guzman, son of singer Claire dela Fuente.
With this perception coming from Depositar, several celebrities and netizens couldn’t hide their disgust yet again towards the PNP.
Sassa Gurl shared his sentiment on how the police sees homosexuals. He reminded them not to assume that members of the LGBTQ community would instantly turn into rapists once drunk.
I mean don't just assume na we will turn into rapist pag nakainom Kami. ugh PNP try again
— Sassa Gurl #StreamMariaHiwaga (@Itssassagurl) January 5, 2021
Actress Chienna Filomeno couldn’t believe that the PNP would think that way. In her Twitter post, she posted a GIF ridiculing the way of reasoning by the police.
KaHiT bAkLa YaN, kApAg NaKaInOm Ng AlAK nAgIgInG laLaKe yAn pic.twitter.com/zr0lH4wTBo
— Chienna Filomeno (@ChieFilomeno) January 5, 2021
Actor and director Fifth Solomon was also baffled by the statement of the Makati police chief. The perception was really degrading to the LGBT community.
https://twitter.com/FifthSolomon/status/1346474639229243400
A Maja Salvador fan account posted a meme of the actress telling the PNP how stupid they looked because of their way of thinking towards bisexuals and homosexuals.
https://twitter.com/majasuperstar/status/1346469895672745986
Netizens who were part of the LGBTQ community shared their own experience refuting that the Makati chief’s way of reasoning was close to impossible. A netizen stated that alcohol did not change his sexual preference in his 29 years.
"kahit bakla yan, kapag naka inom ng alak nagiging lalaki yan"
In my 29 years of existence, I haven't taken any alcohol that changed my sexual preferences. Been to beerhouses where my friends table girls with me but it didn't change the fact that I am gay! WTF is this PNP?
— @TheShepherd (@AngManunupa) January 5, 2021
Netizens were sure that once the other suspects surfaced, it will be another case of “nanlaban”.
PNP: Mga lalake parin sila, may instinct yan
Napaka old school ng views nyo. Nag-aral ba kayo?
Sirang sira ang image ng mga pulis. Sa sobrang sira eh di naman nakakagulat na magtago ang mga “suspect”.
Baka mamaya nyan eh “nanlaban” bigla.#PULISANGTERORISTA #OUSTDUTERTENOW
— keo (@shoot_ahh) January 5, 2021
The netizen was referring to an interview with a police officer handling the case of Dacera. The officer said that if the remaining suspects resist arrest, there would be consequences.
Seriously? MANLABAN again?!
And to add tone of him. Oh god. Scary.#JusticeForChristineDacera pic.twitter.com/StPjvwzgOJ— Jopet (@iamsuperjopet) January 5, 2021
With this kind of attitude, netizens were definitely worried about their safety. A netizen expressed such concern since the police force have been known to manipulate evidence and deceive people.
Christine Dacera was a 23-year-old flight attendant who was found dead in a bathtub in City Garden Hotel in Poblacion, Makati. According to the PNP, Dacera celebrated New Year’s Eve with a group of friends who were a mix of gays and bisexuals.
Based on the autopsy revealed by the police, lacerations bruises, contusions, and scratches were found on her arms and legs. She was suspected to be raped.
3 out of 12 suspects are now in the custody of the police while the remaining 9 have yet to be found. PNP chief Debold Sinas gave an ultimatum to the suspects at large that they have 72 hours to turn themselves in or they will be ‘hunted down’.