Local ordinances get boost from PRRD’s order – DILG
The order of President Duterte to be strict with loiterers (tambays) has gained the full support of the barangays, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) said.
DILG officer-in-charge (OIC) Eduardo M. Año said he has received positive feedback from
many Local Government units welcoming the presidential directive saying “it is actually a big boost to their efforts to keep their communities crime-free.”
Año explained that LGUs have existing ordinances to prevent crime which requires political will on the part of the barangays to implement to secure the community.
“It’s just a matter of implementation. Nandiyan na po ang mga kautusan para ating ipatupad (The law is already there for enforcement). As we envision safer streets for our communities, we have to activate these ordinances and make them work for our people,” Año said.
“And with no less than the President backing you up in these efforts, mas lalo kayong dapat maging masigasig na panatilihing ligtas ang inyong nasasakupan (the more we have to intensify to make the streets safe),” he added.
The existing ordinances include drinking in public places, walking in the street half-naked, imposing curfew hours on minors, and smoking in public places, among others.
“This is not really something new. The bottom line of these ordinances which complement the President’s order is public safety,” he stressed.
The President intensified the campaign against unnecessary groupings in the community particularly in the wee hours of the night following the spike in the crime rate to keep communities safe from criminals.
“Let us give our LGUs a chance to exercise their mandate of protecting their constituency and ensuring the safety of their communities. After all, these measures are for the greater good of the community,” DILG Assistant Secretary and Spokesperson Jonathan E. Malaya
"The President is simply concerned with the welfare of all Filipinos especially law-abiding citizens who need to go to work or return home late at night. Thus, the President's remarks is more in the nature of crime prevention than anything else. Let us not read too much into it as the critics are wont to do," he added.
Big help Newly-elected punong barangay Jesse James Ting of the newly created Barangay Maharlika in San Pedro, Laguna is pleased with the President’s directive on “tambays.”
“Bilang first termer na punong barangay, malaking tulong po ang sinabi ng Presidente sa pagpapanatili ng kapayapaan sa barangay namin. Kung minsan po ‘yung mga tambay lalo na ‘yung mga naglalasing sa labas ng kalye ka pag gabi, sila ang nagiging dahilan ng simula ng away at gulo (As a new barangay chairman, the President’s directive is a boost to ensure a peaceful barangay. There are instances that loiterers especially those who drink in public places at night start the trouble),” Ting said.
“The enforcement of curfew hours among the youth and prohibition of drinking liquor in public places at night is also a big help in the fight against illegal drugs,’’ he added.
“Very happy po lahat ng kapitan doonnoong sinabi iyon ni Presidente (All the barangay chairmen who took their oath of office before the President were very happy when he said that). Full support kami sa lahat ng programa ni Presidente (We fully support all the programs of the President),” he concluded.
Not prelude to ML Presidential spokesman Harry Roque said the President has no intention of expanding the martial law beyond Mindanao.
“Malinaw po ang sinabi nang Presidente, ‘Martial law in the entire Philippines will become very complicated.’ He has absolutely no intentions right now unless there would be reasons to do so,” Roque said during a press conference in Cotabato City.
Even PNP chief Director General Oscar Albayalde assured the campaign against street loiterers will not lead to the declaration of martial law in the entire country.
“Even when we were young, there were already street loiterers. But the times have changed. These days, these loiterers are in dangerous places and take advantage of people who pass by. Most of the time criminals are lurking for wouldbe victims,” Albayalde said
He assured that there would not be warrantless arrests.
At least 5,575 persons have been arrested from 5 a.m. of June 13 to 5 p.m. of June 18. in Metro Manila alone, according to National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) Director Guillermo Eleazar.
The Eastern Police District (EPD) had the most number of arrests with 1,805 while the Southern Police District (SPD) had 1,427 arrests. The Quezon City Police District (QCPD) rounded up 926, the Manila Police District (MPD) 709 and the Northern Police District (NPD) arrested 708.
Relieved
Eleazar ordered the relief of Senior Insp. Aaron Elago, commander of the Police Community Precinct 7 in Makati Cityand the precinct’s desk officer SP02 James Teano for arresting a call center agents and his friend while waiting for another friend in Makati.
The call center agent said they were locked up in a detention facility along with those arrested for drinking on the street. When they inquired as to their violation, the cops reportedly showed them a video clip of the President warning idlers.
Chief Supt. Tomas Apolinario, director of the Southern Police District said that while they support the President’s directive against loitering, they do not tolerate abuses of their men.
“Policemen should only arrest those who will violate municipal or city ordinances such as urinating and drinking in public places, half-naked, making loud noise, and curfew of minors,” said Apolinario.
“However, the police can question any suspicious person loitering but not necessarily violating any specific above cited ordinance regarding their presence and business in the area. They should not be apprehended but instead be adviced to be cautious or rather leave the area so as not to be victimized by lawless elements,” he added.
Eleazar said Elago and Teano are now at the Holding Section of the Makati City Police pending the result of the investigation on possible abuse of discretion. (With reports from Genalyn D. Kabiling, Martin A. Sadongdong and Aaron B. Recuenco)