Docudrama ‘Sa Likod ng Tsapa’ to hit the big screen

A new docudrama film is shedding light on the controversial career of Police Colonel Hansel Marantan, a figure long associated with high-profile and often deadly police operations in the Philippines.

Titled “Sa Likod ng Tsapa” (Behind the Badge), the film chronicles Marantan’s life — from his rise through the ranks of the Philippine National Police to the darkest chapters of his career including his eventual imprisonment.

Marantan, who now serves as Acting Director of the Police Peace Development Center, previously led the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group-National Capital Region (CIDG-NCR) and has commanded some of the most controversial operations in recent memory.

Among them: the 2005 raid on a car theft syndicate in Valle Verde; the 2008 Parañaque shootout involving the “Waray-Ozamis Gang;” a deadly 2010 checkpoint incident in Quezon; and the 2013 Atimonan operation, where 13 people were killed in what was later described as a “rubout.” That case led to Marantan’s five-year detention at the maximum-security Philippine National Police Custodial Center in Camp Crame until Judge Bucu granted him and his co-accused bail.

More recently, he led the arrest operation of Congressman Arnulfo “Arnie” Teves Jr. and the 16-day standoff that ended with the capture of Apollo Quiboloy.

The film, written, directed and produced by veteran journalist Editha Caduaya, originally began as a documentary project for Newsline Philippines. But as the story unfolded, Caduaya saw something deeper.

“When he arrived in Davao, we felt like he was the enemy — he stepped into Duterte country, and we wondered, who is this guy? That gave us so many question marks about who Marantan really is. In Manila and Luzon, he was described as someone with blood on his hands. To us, he was an intruder, especially because it was a very politicized time when he came to Davao. So we felt that since he stepped into Davao, he must be the enemy — so we were going to sing about him, expose him. But in the end, it became a film — about his life and the sacrifices of the Philippine National Police,” Caduaya said.

Marantan himself admitted he was initially hesitant to participate in the film.

“They sent me to Davao — it was just after the Teves case because I was the one who served several warrants there, and we were busy filing cases. When I got there, I was welcomed by Task Force Davao, and Ms. Edith was already there. I was really sent to Davao to arrest Quiboloy, and we did it — but it took us 16 days,” Marantan recalled.

“When I got there, I saw Ms. Edith’s sincerity in telling the story. She’s really persistent — but I think that’s what makes a good journalist. She would call even in the middle of the night. I never realized it was already heading toward becoming a documentary film,” he added.

The film also stars Lt. Col. Stefanio Andrenicus Rabino, who plays the younger Marantan, and Col. Mario Mayames as the unit director.

This docudrama. delves into his complex and controversial life story — a tale of truth, betrayal, and redemption. “Sa Likod ng Tsapa” is a gripping story that seeks to spark meaningful conversations on justice, loyalty, accountability, and the human face of law enforcement, and the unseen burdens behind the badge.

For Marantan, the filmmaking process was a deeply personal and emotional journey.

“There were moments when we had to stop the interview because it got too emotional. There are things that are already irreparable, things that can’t be rebuilt anymore, so we have to accept them as they are. But as I’ve said in another interview, there’s no bitterness left in my heart. I have forgiven them all. Because if you haven’t forgiven them, it’s like you’re still in prison. That’s what I’ve done and what I continue to try to do to this day,” he said.

“I didn’t share this story for sympathy. I shared it for truth and justice,” Marantan added.

“Sa Likod ng Tsapa” is produced by POP Moviehouse and Newsline Philippines, and is set for a nationwide theatrical release staring August 13, distributed by Solar Pictures.