Tambays’ roundup prelude to ML

Sensing that this may be a prelude to the imposition of Martial Law in the country, the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (BAYAN) strongly opposed the president's idea to arrest loiterers.

BAYAN-Central Visayas Chairperson Jaime Paglinawan said the police may want to heed their commander - President Rodrigo Duterte - only to gain "pogi points."

"Among sugyot nga hunongon na ang dili makatarunganong aktibidad sa kapulisan aron lang mahimuot ang president," he said. Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña, however, thinks otherwise. He encouraged the Cebu City Police Office to conduct roundup operations against loiterers in the city.

"Ang mga bright moingon that is unconstitutional. Me, my policy is very simple, the ones who deserves human rights are the victims of criminals. That's my number one priority. Criminals, that's secondary, I really don't care if you had human rights or not. Akong unahon ang biktima sa mga criminal," Osmeña said.

He said he received reports from concerned citizens that there are a number of young individuals who sniff rugby in some streets in the city such as General Maxilom and N. Bacalso Avenues.

Cebu Acting Governor Agnes Magpale, for her part, encouraged the cities and towns in the province to impose or make curfew ordinances, especially for minors.

She also suggested that the PNP should tag along social workers, if they are to apprehend loitering children.

She explained that, unlike adults, loitering children needs a different way of handling, compared to their older counterparts.

Magpale said the time must be based on the activities of a local government unit.

For instance, passengers who are queuing early or very late should not be part of the people to be arrested by the police. She added that specifying what kinds of loitering are prohibited by the police would be helpful.

Paglinawan also said that Duterte's policy is unconstitutional and therefore could never be a nationwide rule.

He said several groups will come out to open and object this kind of policy. He went on urging other organizations to express their opposition.

"Unsa may sala sa usa ka tambay? Kon imong balay naa daplin sa karsada unya naglingkod lang ka, unya dakpon ka?" Paglinawan said.

He added that this may also be prone to abuse from authorities. And he feared that this policy may become like the government's drug war wherein authorities will just reason out that killed offenders resisted arrest.

Osmeña said that in order to have a successful enforcement of the new policy, concerned authorities should help monitor.

"I am not confident in everything I do... I am just trying to make the best decision and I am always ready to withdraw or amend it if it doesn't work. But if there's any level of confidence, my level of confidence is that we have to try something, simple as that," Osmeña said.

Earlier, President Rodrigo Duterte ordered the Philippine National to round up loiterers because they are potential troublemakers.

Meanwhile, PSWDO head Marivic Garces that the Capitol is currently holding a bidding for each of the seven legislative districts to have temporary living quarters for detained minors especially those in conflict with the law.

The quarters will be made from container vans. The project cost for this acquisition is P4.2 million and has started brewing even before the PNP started its Oplan Tambay.

Each van costs P600,000 and has at least 10 beds and has its own facilities like a comfort room.

Magpale said that once bidding is done, it is preferable that these shelters be built near police stations to ensure the safety of the children.

Prior to this move, the acting governor said that social workers had to bring the children in conflict with the law to their homes. —

May B. Miasco, Odessa O. Leyson, Lorraine Mitzi A. Ambrad/GAN