Police go by the book in anti-loitering drive

During a speech last June 13, President Duterte had warned tambays – street slang derived from “standby” – not to hang around in the streets at night or face arrest.

It was not an idle warning. Not long afterwards, police began rounding up nocturnal loiters by the dozens.

The round-up was based on existing municipal ordinances, including those banning drinking liquor in public places, scandal (for going shirtless), smoking, and breaking curfew.

The campaign is being carried out in earnest. Yesterday, the Southern Police District (SPD) rounded up 486 tambays in the cities of Parañaque, Pasay, Makati, Taguig, Pateros, Las Piñas, and Muntinlupa.

SPD Director Police Chief Supt. Tomas Apolinario explains that there are strict procedures in enforcing the tambay ban, and he expects his officers to follow them to the letter.

Suspected loiterers are first asked by officers their purpose for being in the area.

If a person has an errand to run or another valid reason he or she is advised to leave the place after finishing their activity.

Apolinario said the police can invite persons to the police station if there is a recent incident in the area like a holdup.

“If the (night idler) matches the description of the suspect in the incident, police can invite them to the station,” he said.

The officers can also frisk the loiterer. But under normal circumstances, a valid explanation for his or her presence in the area would suffice.

Ordinance violators go through the normal booking procedures, such as inquest proceedings and a medico legal examination.