DAVAO CITY (August 28) –In every uniform lies a story of sacrifice. In Sa Likod Ng Tsapa, audiences are discovering the painful truths and silent battles of those who serve.
“I cried because I saw myself in Colonel Marantan,” shared Jong (not his real name), a police officer facing four cases, including murder. “But his sacrifices are more than enough. I even asked myself, what if it happens to me? Will I survive as he did?”
This raw honesty has been echoed in cinemas across the country. After its nationwide release in 73 theaters, the documentary has moved from the big screen to intimate block screenings in Metro Manila and Mindanao. Its mission: to inspire not only police officers but also their families and government instrumentalities who often stand in the shadows of duty.
Even Misamis Occidental Governor Henry Oaminal was shaken, saying:
“Mahirap pala ang pinagdaanan ng mga matitinong pulis. They pay the price for following legal orders, yet they get little to no support from their own organization. This documentary should be for everyone.”
In Davao City, police officers who worked with Colonel Hansel Marantan for nearly a year recalled his dedication and excellence in service, which the documentary captures with honesty.
Marantan, a decorated officer, endured almost five years in jail after the controversial Atimonan incident in 2013. Alongside 12 other policemen, he continued to wear his badge with pride—choosing courage over despair.
His message resounds in the film: “Hindi lahat ng sugatan ay nadudurog. Yung iba, lumalaban at bumabangon muli.”
The result is more than just a documentary—it is a mirror of the struggles faced by men and women in uniform, a tribute to their families, and a wake-up call to the nation.-Editha Z. Caduaya
Edith Z Caduaya studied Bachelor of Science in Development Communication at the University of Southern Mindanao.
The chairperson of Mindanao Independent Press Council (MIPC) Inc.
