The premiere of ‘Sa Likod ng Tsapa’ drew a full house at Cinema 3 of SM Megamall, Mandaluyong City, on Friday night, with PNP chief Gen. Nick Torre, retired police and military officials, and members of the public among those in attendance.
The powerful docu-drama delves into the turbulent life and career of Col. Hansel Matamis Marantan of PNPA “Kabalikat” Class of 1998—a man both praised as a fearless law enforcer and shadowed by controversy.
Directed, written, and produced by veteran Davaoeña journalist Edith Caduaya, the film blends archival news footage from ABS-CBN, GMA Network, TV5, UNTV, Net25, and other outlets with dramatized scenes featuring professional actors. Lt. Col. Stefanio Andrenicus Rabino portrays Marantan in his younger years, re-enacting his involvement in high-profile cases such as the Atimonan shootout, the raid on the compound of former Negros Oriental Rep. Arnie Teves Jr., and the operation that led to the arrest of fugitive pastor Apollo Quiboloy.
Caduaya also included interviews with Marantan’s family, colleagues, and friends, painting a portrait of a man who, despite public perception, is described by those close to him as loyal, kind-hearted, and deeply committed to his duties. Janice Degamo, widow of slain Gov. Roel Degamo, praised Marantan, saying he was the only officer who had “the balls” to raid Teves’ stronghold in search of weapons linked to her husband’s murder.
In the film, Marantan confronts his controversial past, including the 2013 Atimonan incident, for which he was charged with multiple counts of murder and detained for nearly five years at the PNP Custodial Center before being acquitted. “Hindi ko ito ginawa para kumuha ng simpatya,” he stresses in one interview. Instead, he says the project is about truth, betrayal, and redemption.
His record includes leading high-risk operations against the Black Shark and Bantugon gangs, seizing high-powered weapons, and enduring injuries that left him with “52 metal screws, four bone plates, one knee replacement, an impaired left ear, and three spine operations.” Speaking before the League of Municipalities of the Philippines, he said: “There’s too much pain in the service categorically or equivocally… You will eat death threats three times a day… magtatago kayo at darating ang oras na talagang ipupusta mo rin kung anung meron ka.”
Now serving as head of the PNP Peace Process and Development Center, Marantan maintains he is “a law enforcer,” not a criminal.
The film, which officially opens nationwide on August 13 in SM cinemas, will donate its proceeds to fund legal aid, psychological services, and emergency response for vulnerable sectors, particularly women and children affected by violence. (with reports from Loyd Pino)
