Philippine police’s Christmas prank puts brutality, mistrust in spotlight after recent killing of mother and son

President Rodrigo Duterte’s ‘war on drugs’ has been blamed for thousands of deaths and a culture of police impunity, with the ICC considering a probe

The point-blank shooting of a mother and son in Tarlac province by an off-duty officer has sparked fresh anger at human rights violations

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Policemen patrol a market in Manila. A bizarre prank has highlighted public anger and mistrust of the force. Photo: AFP

Published: 6:00pm, 24 Dec 2020Updated: 6:07pm, 24 Dec 2020

On December 15, policemen in Cebu City in the Philippines approached two men, told them they were under arrest and led them to a waiting vehicle. The two nervous men were surprised when more officers suddenly appeared, sang them a carol and then presented them with a gift basket.

It was, the police explained, their way of wishing members of the public a merry Christmas.

The bizarre prank did not go down well. Commission on Human Rights spokeswoman Jacqueline De Guia said it was “no laughing matter” and might “heighten the worry of individuals who may have developed mistrust toward law enforcers”.

Filipinos have good reason to mistrust and fear the police, who have been linked with murder, corruption and violence, especially since the start of President Rodrigo Duterte’s “war on drugs” in 2016.

The United Nations estimates more than 8,000 people have been killed in the drug war, while the Philippine human rights commission believes the number could be as high as 27,000.

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