Power tripping

I woke up early and felt that I wanted to walk outside peacefully — no phone, no gadgets, no music — just the sound of vehicles passing by the road and the conversations of random people.

I often do this when I feel like thinking of topics and ideas that I might write about for the day.

I was passing a bakery when I saw a policeman with two other people. They were taking pictures of the store with a printed paper pasted on the wall.

I felt that it was for their documentation report.

It was about 7:00 AM. They were working early.

Then suddenly, the policeman approached me and said, “Kuya, halika, picturan ko kayo. Sama ka na, nakatalikod naman sa picture.” He didn’t say it in a bad way, nor was it particularly polite — just neutral enough for you to understand that he wanted me in the picture for their documentation.

To be fair, I am not sure if it was really for their documentation.

I immediately refused his request in a low voice, saying, “Ay, ayaw ko po.” I’m not sure if he heard it. Then I left and walked away from them.

I could still hear him calling me, “Hoy,” but I didn’t look back and just kept walking.

I continued to walk until I reached another bakery. I wanted to eat some bread for breakfast. While I was looking for the bread I wanted, I heard someone calling me from behind, “Hoy, kuya.” I turned around and saw the policeman again.

“Kuya, tagasaan ka? Hindi ka taga-rito, ‘no? Taga-saan ka ba?”

“Opo, taga-isla pa po ako, eh.”

“Patingin ako ng ID mo.”

“Ay, wala po akong dalang ID.”

“Ikaw, tinatawag lang kita para sa picture. Ang suplado mo.”

“Ay, pasensya na po. Tumanggi naman po ako.”

Seriously, I regret saying sorry to the guy. I feel that he didn’t deserve it. I had already refused; why bother forcing me to join in their documentation?

I just didn’t want to be included at that time, and I didn’t want anyone to disturb me. I just wanted to walk peacefully. I understand that they wanted to take a picture from the back without showing my face, but I feel that I had the right to refuse.

At some point, I knew that I shouldn’t have snubbed them, but I had already refused. So why insist? Maybe he didn’t hear me.

I learned this is a form of power tripping — using their authority as policemen to make people follow their commands.

I hate it.