Istambay meaningfully
Ihad the good fortune of conversing with indigenous peoples of Northern Luzon on self- governance and selfdetermination in the conservation of natural resources. Talk soon went to their observations on mainstream governance and its focus on accomplishments (such as arrests), ignoring context because “kapag bawal, bawal,” and meting out punishment. To them, these approaches are “pansamantala” and are “Band-Aid solutions.”
The mass arrests of istambays (7,000 bystanders or loiterers according to the PNP) owing to a statement from the President describing them as “potential trouble for the public” and the death of Genesis Argoncillo while in police custody underscored the vast difference between indigenous governance and the mainstream system.
Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Oscar Albayalde later announced Oplan RODY (Rid the Streets of Drinkers and Youth) as a nationwide campaign. Perhaps belatedly realizing that the outdated national anti-vagrancy law had been decriminalized, the PNP said they are implementing local laws related to the prohibition of drinking, smoking, and nudity in public places, and curfews.
Oplan RODY is inconsistent with the supposed thrust of this government against personality-oriented politics. But it does reek of the small-town practice of associating programs and projects with the name of the current local chief executive.
It smacks of the problematic mindset of the numbers game with its drive to equate ‘performance’ with mathematics. Absent clear parameters, one can foresee in the offing massive, indiscriminate roundups and violations of human rights similar to the notorious sona during the Marcos years.
For Senator Panfilo Lacson, the national PNP leadership can do better than take over the implementation of local laws which is the domain of local governments.
Beyond being a case of overreach, Oplan RODY is an example of how one branch of government is arrogating unto itself powers that it ought not have: in this case arbitrarily defining and enforcing what is acceptable about idle time spent in public spaces. This is demonstrated by Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque’s latest mental acrobatics that those arrested “were idling while committing a crime.”
It is easy to reduce the istambay phenomenon to the alarmist “potential trouble for the public.” But many studies have shown that it cannot be addressed without a major commentary on the educational, economic, political, sociocultural, and historical realities and contexts of the nation. We cannot simplistically “Rid the Streets of Drinkers and Youth” without involving ourselves in a major reflection about what are meant by idle time and inactivity and their ramifications.
Can inactivity be meaningful? Solution-seekers, planners, artists, designers, reformists, revolutionaries, and practically anyone who ever dreamt and thought things through know the answer.
Citizens have conceded so much to the state and its representation, government. We should not give up more of the streets and public spaces that are places of struggle, growth, and transformation even if they are not overtly manifest. These are our governance contributions for the long haul.
Let’s demonstrate how to istambay meaningfully by idling while pursuing change.
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