Mayor Oscar Moreno answers questions about the so-called “anti-tambay” campaign that started in the city last night during a news conference at city hall on June 25. Listening are city police director Nelson Aganon (right) and Councilor Romeo Calizo. (photo by joey nacalaban)
- Advertisement -

By NITZ ARANCON
with JOEY NACALABAN
Correspondents .

POLICE started a campaign here last night based on President Duterte’s order to crack down on loiterers which authorities said would prevent crimes that are still on the planning stage, and which include arresting people for merely refusing to heed the request of law enforcers for them to go home.

- Advertisement -

City hall however cautioned the police against overdoing the law enforcement operations, saying officers should be careful in carrying out the campaign so that citizens’ rights and civil liberties are not violated.

Maricel Rivera, city hall spokesperson, said the local peace and order council would be closely monitoring the police campaign.

Rivera said Mayor Oscar Moreno has instructed the police to make an inventory of laws and city ordinances that can be enforced by officers in the streets so that it would be clear which acts are offenses and which are not.

But the police here have given confusing statements on how they would carry out the so-called “anti-tambay” campaign that begun last night.

One moment, city police director Senior Supt. Nelson Aganon says only the “tambay” found to have violated laws would be arrested; the next, he says the campaign is against the “tambay” who are still thinking about committing crime.

Aganon said, “Ang ating kampanya hindi naman against sa lahat ng tambay, against lamang ito sa mga tambay na may balak gumawa ng hindi maganda. Pero itong mga kaibigan natin na mga good citizen or law-abiding citizen ay wala na mang dapat silang ikabahala. Hindi na man sila huhulihin dahil nagtambay sila,” Aganon said.

City police spokesman Supt. Mardy Hortillosa said officers would frisk all the “tambay” they see in the streets, including commercial sex workers and their procurers.

Hortillosa said the “tambay” who are found to have not violated any law or ordinance are free to go but only if they heed the “request” of officers for them to go home.

“Dili na sila maa-apil sa dakop kon among makita nga  walay ilang violation gawas na lang kung atong maprobahan nga dunay ilang mga violation sa atong mga existing nga mga bala-od, sa city ordinances or sa Revised Penal Code,” Hortillosa said.

Those cleared after frisking would be requested to go home but if they refuse, they can be arrested, according to Hortillosa.

“Puwede nato sila dakpon for disobedience to persons in authority,” Hortillosa said.

Hortillosa however said this is still subject for debate “kay basin mo-ingon pud sila nga, ‘Nganong papaulion man ko nimo  nga legal man ni among gihimo ug  wala may koy sala?’”

Aganon said the police would use local and city laws as bases in arresting people, especially those who cause public disturbances.

“Kung mageklamo na ang ibang tao, siempre  sabi nga, yung karapatan mo ay napuputol kapag nakakaapak kana sa karapatan ng ibang tao. Pero sa mga nag-tambay sa mga bahay nila, sa labas ng bahay nila, pabor naman sa kanila ’to dahil, kung baga, yung mga undesirable na tao naman diyan sa kalsada na maaring gumawa ng hindi maganda ay matatanggal natin,” Aganon said.

He said people in drinking binges in the streets would be arrested based on a city ordinance.

“Ang nakalagay lang man sa ating city ordinance, bawal lang tagala sila uminom sa mga public places pero kung mag-inom sila sa mga bahay nila OK lang basta hindi magereklamo ang iyong kapitbahay,” he said.

The crackdown would cover convenience stores and similar establishments with outdoor extensions that encroach on the streets.

Aganon said if an establishment is merely a a convenience store based on its business permit from city hall, then arrests can be made if people are drinking liquor out in the streets.

Minors, he said, would not be arrested but would be rounded up to the police stations for their safety. He said the children would be handed over to their parents, guardians or social workers the following morning.

Disclaimer

Mindanao Gold Star Daily holds the copyrights of all articles and photos in perpetuity. Any unauthorized reproduction in any platform, electronic and hardcopy, shall be liable for copyright infringement under the Intellectual Property Rights Law of the Philippines.

- Advertisement -