23/07/2025
“SA LIKOD NG TSAPA: The Story of Col. Hansel Marantan”
Held its press conference last July 22, offering a powerful glimpse into the life of a controversial yet decorated police officer. Lt. Col. Stefanio Adrenicus Rabino, who portrays the younger Marantan in reenactments, shared that the film doesn’t just highlight a brilliant officer’s life—it reveals the unseen, unfiltered realities faced by those in uniform. “There’s so much the public never sees on national TV—this shows the struggle,” Rabino said. Col. Marantan, now Acting Director of the Police Peace Development Center, spoke about his time in jail after the Atimonan shootout and reflected on other major operations including the Valle Verde operation, the Parañaque shootout, and a wave of Metro Manila bank robberies linked to organized crime groups like Kuratong Baleleng. “There were about 27 bodies. They were using assault rifles—high-powered fi****ms once issued to law enforcers, now in the hands of criminals,” he shared. He also explained why he was consistently involved in armed encounters: “I was in a task force. We weren’t after snatchers—we were after big fish. And big fish are armed.”
Director Editha Z. Caduaya, a journalist turned filmmaker, said the project opened her eyes to a deeper injustice within the system itself. “Nakita ko na, bakit kami sumisigaw ng injustice eh, meron pala dito sa loob ng organization, marami pala ang nag-eendure. Ito pala yung puno’t dulo ng injustice, hindi lang sa mainstream diba? Nakikita niyo yung mga tao sumisigaw ng injustice pero sila meron organization injustice… Nakita ko na pag sumabit si police, walang umaangkin, pag victorious ang operation, lahat kami ang claimant. Iyon ang nakita ko sa story na kailangan kong bigyang-buhay ito.” The film combines archival footage and reenactments of six controversial, government-sanctioned police operations, exposing not just crime but internal battles within law enforcement. PNP Chief Gen. Nicolas Torre also gave his full support, encouraging the public to watch and understand the realities behind the badge. Set for nationwide release on August 13, 2025, and produced by POP Moviehouse and Newsline Philippines, “SA LIKOD NG TSAPA ” is more than a film—it’s a call for justice, loyalty, and truth.
