There seems to be a growing inclination of immediately resorting to force to resolve unfavorable situations, instead of taking the correct and prescribed path of exhausting all available means to settle altercations or disagreements first before drawing blood because of rage and anger.

This is what Quezon City Police District Director Brigadier General Redrico ‘Red’ Maranan enthused as he reacted to the growing prevalence of violent crimes which he associated with the ‘culture of violence’ that has apparently been inculcated in Philippine society in recent times.

In an exclusive interview, the QCPD chief expressed concern over the alarming number of cases that involve many people—from the ordinary citizen to those belonging in the higher echelons of society and even some government officials—resorting to violence.

“Parang naging kultura na itong karahasan and we need to address this. Hindi na binibigyang pansin ang pagsunod sa batas and people tend to hurt other people because they give vent to their anger,” Maranan pointed out.

“Not only this, wala na ring pakundangan ngayon ang mga tao na gumawa ng krimen . . . It’s as if there is lawlessness on our streets at kahit na sino na lang ay makakagawa ng gusto nila. Hindi naman po puwede ‘yan dahil mayroon tayong mga batas na dapat na sinusunod ng lahat—mayaman o mahirap, may posisyon man o wala,” he added.

The general disclosed that this is the reason why they have intensified their beat patrols so that all activities are monitored in the city and the safety of the citizenry is ensured while criminals will always think twice before they do anything wrong because the police will surely catch them

“Kailangang ramdam ng mamamayan ang presensya ng pulis dahil sa ganitong paraan, makakatiyak tayo na mapipigilan natin ang anumang krimen na maaaring maganap. Siyempre, kailangan din natin ang tulong ng taongbayan sa pamamagitan ng pag-report ng anumang kahina-hinalang bagay na nangyayari sa kanilang komunidad,” he said.

Asked about the possibility of increasing the punishment for those who violate the law, such as reviving the death penalty, the general replied that it is up to our lawmakers to do what they think is best for our country. However, in his own personal opinion, he said that each crime has its distinct penalty and if capital punishment is revived, then this could perhaps be favorable for the citizenry.