A teacher from Mindanao, identified by the alias “Ma’am,” filed an administrative complaint before the National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM) on Tuesday, October 27, against her live-in partner, Police Corporal Ricardo J. Silva Jr., whom she accuses of repeatedly abusing her, seeking accountability for the alleged violence she endured as a battered woman for almost nine years.
PCpl Silva, assigned at Camp Crame, appeared during a press briefing at the NAPOLCOM Central Office in Quezon City, where the complainant sought accountability for the alleged abuse.
Commissioner Ralph Calinisan reaffirmed that NAPOLCOM will not tolerate violence against women and urged victims to seek help from authorities, stressing that no one should endure abuse regardless of the perpetrator’s profession.
“Hindi natin papayagan ang anumang uri ng karahasan laban sa kababaihan. Sa mga nakararanas ng pang-aabuso, huwag po kayong pumayag na saktan kayo, kahit sa unang pagkakataon pa lamang. Magsumbong po kayo sa awtoridad. Nandiyan ang PNP at ang NAPOLCOM para makinig, tumulong, at umalalay sa inyo,” Commissioner Calinisan said.
He stressed that the Commission’s efforts to clean up the police service include holding officers accountable for violence, particularly against their own partners or spouses.
“Maglilinis po tayo ng pulis. Bawal manakit ang ating kapulisan ng kahit na sino, lalo na po ng kanilang kinakasama o asawa,” Commissioner Calinisan said.
Recounting how she sought help when she felt she could no longer escape her abusive situation, alias Ma’am credited the swift response of people who helped her reach NAPOLCOM and seek assistance from Commissioner Calinisan.
“Noong isang araw po, akala ko wala nang makaaahon sa akin sa impiyernong kinalalagyan ko. Nagkataon po na ang kasama kong teacher ay asawa ni Sir Fontillas. Nag-message ako sa kanya gabing-gabi na po yun. Kung nakikita n’yo po ang kidlat, mas mabilis pa sa kidlat ang ginawa nilang aksyon, kasama po si Sir Calinisan. Agad agad po nila akong kinuha at pinalipad papunta rito, kaya nandito po ako ngayon sa harap ninyo,” she said.
Expressing gratitude for the assistance she received, she vowed to help others who may be experiencing similar abuse.
“Blessed po ako na nandito ang NAPOLCOM at si Sir Calinisan. Mabilis pa po sa kidlat, natulungan po ako. At yun tulong na ibinibigay sa akin ni Sir ngayon, promise po, yun tulong na binigay ko dati sa mga kailangang tulungan, ibabalik ko na po,” she said.
She also urged other battered women to break their silence and seek help before abuse takes a lasting toll on their lives and well-being.
“Sa lahat ng battered women diyan, oras na po para lumabas kayo. Huwag n’yo na pong tiisin. Huwag n’yo nang hintayin na masiraan kayo ng bait, mawala ang mga pangarap n’yo sa buhay, o mawala ang mga pinaghirapan ninyo. Huwag n’yo nang hintaying sirain kayo ng isang taong hindi naman karapat-dapat,” she said.
“Kung hindi n’yo pa po nararanasan ang pinagdaanan ko, huwag na po ninyong hintaying maranasan pa ito. Hindi po madali. Nakakasira po ng isip at disposisyon sa buhay. Humingi na po kayo ng tulong. Nandito naman po ang NAPOLCOM para tumulong sa inyo, nasaan man kayo,” she added.
PCpl Silva apologized for his actions and urged his fellow police officers not to follow his example.
“Sorry, Hon, sa nagawa ko. Sa mga kabaro ko, huwag n’yo akong tularan. Kung masama man ang loob n’yo, magdasal na lang. Sa lahat ng tao, humihingi po ako ng paumanhin sa mali kong nagawa,” Silva said.
NAPOLCOM will pursue the appropriate administrative proceedings against PCpl Silva for Grave Misconduct and Conduct Unbecoming of a Police Officer, ensuring that the allegations are thoroughly investigated and due process is observed. The Commission reiterates that the police uniform is a symbol of public trust and protection, not a shield against accountability.#
