7 Things I Learned from Being Harassed by San Juan Police

The video camera may be used as a form of self-defense While one San Juan police officer raised his voice in frustration at my refusal to give my driver’s license, another San Juan police officer thrust his fist into my car to vent his aggravation. No, I was not able to get any of the harassment on video, but it did galvanize me into being reminded that I did have a small camera with a video function.

I whipped it out to force the San Juan Police officers to conduct themselves properly during that afternoon of 28 April 2007.

The probability of being harassed by a San Juan police officer is 50% There were four San Juan Police officers in the car. Two harassed me, their sergeant was the one who could talk to me civilly, while one remained in the car without any contact, but he did put the police car a foot beside mine, my guess is to prevent the unlikely event of escape. So two out of four is 50%

The municipal government can create its own laws, even those that are contrary to a precedent by the Supreme Court My refusal to give my license stemmed from the knowledge that I know that the Supreme Court has already decided that drivers need not surrender their license to receive a ticket.

The San Juan Police sergeant showed me the San Juan 2004 ordinance booklet stating that they are authorized to get the driver’s license, which I asked my brother to confirm, which he did by going on the Internet. Only when he confirmed it did I surrender my driver’s license.

There is such a violation as waiting in a prohibited area Although the San Juan Police officers kept saying that I violated a No Parking ordinance, I countered that parking is defined as when the driver leaves his vehicle, which I didn’t, because my intent was to wait in the shade inside my car on Annapolis St. while waiting for a friend to run an errand for a couple of minutes.

Looking at the ticket, the more apt ordinance that I violated would have been waiting in a prohibited area.

It’s cheaper to park than to pay a fine The fine for waiting in a prohibited area is Php 300 while parking on the street is Php 20.

San Juan is a municipality, not a city I learned from my sister that San Juan is a municipality, not a city, and the difference lies in the fact regarding income generation.

So aside from parking to go to Fitness First Greenhills, nary a peso of mine will go to buy a McDonalds Hot Fudge Sundae, nor load any Shell Gas, nor eat in any restaurant in the San Juan area. (Update: I will allow myself the occasional purchase of food and medicine when it’s really necessary. However, I will still avoid spending my money in San Juan.)

Of course, the total would be a measly amount that hardly makes any difference but implementing the principle of it would make me feel better. I’ll lift the ban after my sensibilities have recovered.

The internet is truly a great equalizer It’s truly wonderful that the Internet exists so that one may report such a harassment incident. I need not know any professional reporter nor be acquainted with any politician to document my experience.

Wish Me Well Hey, I still have to get my driver’s license this week. Wish me well!

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