I was mistook for a terrorist in the philippines (true story)

in #life7 years ago


On June 20, 2017, during this period, there recent terrorist attack in Marawi Philippines, and martial law was imposed there. Few days before family members of the terrorist group was apprehended by the cost guard in my city(iloilo city). On that faithful day, I was preparing to hit the gym. I was done taking a bath and went out to dry my towel and I saw a man standing downstairs with a motorbike, we looked at each other and then i noticed he had a camo stuff, probably a jacket on his bike seat. I went back inside, and i was just thinking, it cud be a police officer, or barangay (community police) police or just a mail man, or he is just looking for someone. I went out again to put my clothe outside, and we looked at each other again, like he was just expecting me to come out, then why i was going back inside he called me, "excuse me sir". I came out n greeted him, at this moment i noticed the nozzle of his rifle and he first asked me how long i have lived here, i replied 5 months, then he said he is a police officer, then he asked more questions, like how long have i been in PH and where do i study and what course, and who lives with me, then my neighbour living downstairs came out, and then the police officer said they were looking for a black American Muslim. Immediately i asked him if i can go in and bring my id (needed to ask hahaha before he thinks i am trying to run or get a weapon. i have seen a lot of black guys get shot on the internet). I brought about 3 ids, and identified myself, he took pictures of my id,(he was really armed,like he had about 3 extra mags in a strap inside his clothe) and told me that they received a report or a black American Muslim guy living in my building, and still asked me if i was really living alone. funny enough i am the only black guy in the that building, so i just told him, yes i live alone and i am not even Muslim.

Later that day i went to the police station to get myself cleared, and the police could not really confirm the officer who came to my apartment, and i was told that an officer not on uniform should not have a long firearm. They gave me their hotline and visited my place, and i was asked not to speak to any stranger without calling them first.
No one came back to check on me and i asked a police friend and he confirmed i was not on the watch list.

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