The Commission on Human Rights notes an incident in Makati City captured on video where police officers of the said city were seen inviting a random transgender woman to the police station. When pressed for a reason for the invitation, the unidentified police officer admits carrying out a blanket instruction to “profile” all transgender women but fails to explain the rationale.

While we recognise that there may be incidences when inviting individuals to a police station falls within the ambit of legitimate police duty, the public should, nevertheless, be cautious in agreeing to such request as it may be used to effect a warrantless arrest.

Our police officers are equally reminded that arresting individuals cannot be made based on whim and must follow strict guidelines, even detailed in the Philippine National Police’s ‘Know Your Rights: A Citizen’s Primer on Law Enforcement.’

This recent incident further highlights the violence and harassment experienced everyday by the LGBTQI community because of their sexual orientation and gender identity and stresses the need to pass the SOGIE Equality Bill to bar and penalise all forms of discrimination against anyone, even including those who identify as straight.

It is also equally important to note that one of our best defenses against human rights violations is knowing our rights and understanding that laws and its enforcement should work to protect our freedoms—not curtail them.

CHR shall be investigating this case in the interest of finding out the truth and calling for accountability, should any offence be established. ###