Vlad Bunoan

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Sa Likod ng Tsapa

Josh Mercado

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1754703735280image0.jpeg" style="width:950px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/>Col. Hansel Marantan meets PNP chief Gen. Nicolas Torre III at the premiere of ’Sa Likod ng Tsapa’</div>While Colonel Hansel Marantan may be viewed as a “villain” by some due to his involvement in some of the most controversial national issues, he is also a real-life &quot;hero&quot; to others for standing up to criminals, abusers, and power-trippers.Marantan has never displayed his vulnerability or expressed what it was truly like to fight those battles when in the hot seat and up against the giants.&quot;Sometimes it&#x27;s lonely to do the right thing,&quot; he said, finally allowing the public to see his true self beyond the badge, uniform, and tough persona.A vulnerable Marantan was depicted in the film &quot;Sa Likod ng Tsapa: The Story of Colonel Hansel Marantan,&quot; which featured lonely fights, quiet moments, and painful defeats.The documentary drama took viewers to the infamous 2013 Atimonan shootout for which he was imprisoned, leading to a lonely fight as his own allies turned on him. Nobody believed him.He explained that while he was in jail, his children were ridiculed at school, accusing him of murder.An emotional Marantan narrated, “Nabu-bully sila sa school. Mamamatay-tao raw ang tatay nila. Masakit. Hindi ko sila maipagtanggol. Hindi ko alam kung makakalaya pa ako. Hindi ko masisilayan ang paglaki ng mga bata.”While he was hopeless, he met Ka Wilma and Ka Benny in jail, and they changed his life. They developed a quiet yet heartfelt bond. More than the food they shared every morning, they had one common goal: to live in peace.“Sana nga magkaroon na nang kapayaan sa Pilipinas,” Marantan expressed.Ka Wilma and Ka Benny were eventually released from jail. That scene was the most beautiful — done in the most simple but humane way possible. Who would have believed that such a documentary would move people to tears? It was emotional.“Huwag mong pababayaan ang sarili mo,” Ka Wilma told Marantan and then left him in jail.A painful defeat, activists Ka Wilma and Ka Benny were killed just days after being released from jail. Marantan&#x27;s eyes welled up with anguish as he watched the news of the killing. Did the fight for peace come at a cost?Following his acquittal in the 2013 Atimonan shootout, Marantan faced new battles: dealing with the scandalous Degamo killing and tracking down controversial Pastor Quiboloy.Nicolas Torre, the PNP chief himself, appeared in the film and worked with Marantan on the cases. Despite the outside noise, the two demonstrated force, making good use of their positions.Marantan has saved numerous lives during his years as a cop, and he nearly died once. A hero? A villain? Until today, he has never stopped fighting.“Sabi nila, ako ay bayani, isang berdugo, pero para sa akin, ako ay tagapagtanggol ng mga inaapi,” Marantan said.But how exactly do people decide who is the hero and who is the villain? Is there such thing as a heroic villain? In the most lonely conflicts, quiet moments, and painful defeats, how does one become a hero or villain?Surprisingly and scandalously good, the documentary ended with Marantan in his mother’s grave, praying, thanking her, and telling her that he is visiting her hometown.There&#x27;s peace in coming back to where he started.<div> </div><div>“Sa Likod ng Tsapa: The Story of Colonel Hansel Marantan,&quot; produced by POP Moviehouse/Newsline Philippines, a Davao-based media and production company, and directed by Editha Caduaya, will be released in Philippine cinemas on August 13 with Lt. Col. Stefanio Andrenicus Rabino as young Marantan.</div>

‘Sa Likod ng Tsapa’ pulls back the curtain on Col. Hansel Marantan’s most lonely battles, quiet moments, and painful defeats — and the fight that never ends.

‘Sa Likod ng Tsapa’ pulls back the curtain on Col. Hansel Marantan’s most lonely battles, quiet moments, and painful defeats — and the fight that never ends.

Hero or villain? Documentary shows vulnerable side of Col. Hansel Marantan

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Hero or villain? Documentary shows vulnerable side of Col. Hansel Marantan

Josh Mercado

Published August 09, 2025 09:49 AM PHT

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Sa Likod ng Tsapa

documentary

Hansel Marantan

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