Imee backs PNP on anti-'tambay’ drive
Ilocos Norte Governor Imee Marcos expressed yesterday her support for the Philippine National Police’s (PNP’s) intensified campaign against street idlers or “tambay,” dismissing critics who brand the peace and order campaign as a violation of human rights.
“There are so many human rights enshrined in our Constitution, but there are also a lot of freedoms and rights that are not being discussed,” Marcos told reporters at Camp Crame in broken English. She cited other public rights such as freedom from fear, lawlessness and oppression.
“Not all street idlers are inosent and we know that,” she said. “On a personal note and as a local chief executive or governor, street idlers sometimes are the cause of trouble and fear among the public.”
She said the PNP campaign is no indication of a looming declaration of martial law in the Philippines, a move her father, former President Ferdinand Marcos Sr., made in the early 1970s.
Marcos added that there is no similarity between his father and Duterte, other than they are both lawyers.
Meanwhile, Malacañang said the government is prepared to face any congressional inquiry into the controversial police crackdown.
Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque said the Palace respects the Congress’ prerogative to conduct inquiries, adding the government has nothing to hide about its peace and order campaign.
Director General Oscar Albayalde, PNP Chief, ordered his 190,000strong men to avoid using the term “tambay” to avoid misunderstanding of its crackdown on violators of local ordinances.
Senator Sherwin T. Gatchalian advised the PNP to change its “antitambay” campaign into an “antipasaway’’ operation to protect the innocent bystanders on the streets who are not violating the law.
“Tambay refers to the loiterers or bystanders in public places while “pasaway” are persons who refuse to follow advices, orders, ordinances or laws,” said Gatchalian, underscoring the distinction between the two. (With reports from Aaron B. Recuenco, Genalyn D. Kabiling, and Mario B. Casayuran)