Police Master Sergeant Hensie Zinampan, in handcuffs, faces PNP chief Gen. Guillermo Eleazar. Image from PNP
MANILA, Philippines—Senator Leila de Lima has expressed outrage over the brutal killing of a 52-year-old grandmother by a drunk policeman in Fairview, Quezon City last May 31.
A former Commission on Human Rights chairperson, de Lima said the murder of Lilybeth Valdez by Police Master Sergeant Hensie Zinampan was a glaring example of how President Rodrigo Duterte encouraged state forces to openly and violently take lives.
“This is murder in one of its worst forms, done by no less than someone who is expected to enforce the law and protect the Filipinos,” said de Lima in a statement.
“Ang lakas pa ng loob na i-deny ng pulis na ito ang pagpatay sa isang inang walang kalaban-laban, eh kitang-kita sa nakuhang video ang karumal-dumal at kalunos-lunos na krimeng ginawa niya. Appalling and unacceptable!”
(Despite being clearly captured on camera, the policeman vehemently denied killing a defenseless mother. Appalling and unacceptable!)
In Valdez’s family’s account, Zinampan was clearly intoxicated and pulled the woman’s hair before shooting her in the neck, a blow that instantly killed her.
Although Zinampan denied it, Valdez’s grandson caught the crime on video, and it’s gone viral.
Zinampan and Valdez’s grandson got into a fight on May 1. The cop then threatened the family several times.
“Ilang inosenteng buhay pa ba ang patuloy na masasayang bago itigil ni Duterte ang pag-udyok at pagkunsinte sa mga karahasan at pagpatay, na nagpapalakas ng loob sa mga mamamatay-tao at mapang-abusong pulis na lalong umabuso at pumatay nang walang pakundangan? said de Lima.
(How many innocent lives will be lost before Duterte stops encouraging murderers and abusive police officers to continue with their rampant harassment and killing sprees?)
Police General Guillermo Eleazar, the Philippine National Police chief, has since ordered the filing of a criminal complaint and an administrative case against Zinampan, who was arrested and turned over to the Criminal Investigation and Detection Unit of the Quezon City Police District on Tuesday.
“As we deplore the killing of Lilybeth and all the other victims of extrajudicial killings (EJKs) under this murderous Duterte regime, we must stand up and protect human rights and dignity in our nation, now more than ever,” said de Lima.