Warnings first for minor violations

CEBU, Philippines — The Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) clarified that its ongoing Safe Cities initiative enforces city ordinances in public spaces through a warning-first system for minor violations, following public backlash over a viral incident in Mandaluyong City involving construction worker Jhony Lanquino, who was reportedly issued a citation while shirtless during cement work.

The clarification was issued by the CCPO amid growing public discussion on how local ordinances are implemented and whether enforcement properly distinguishes between public and private spaces.

Police Colonel George Ylanan emphasized that the Safe Cities initiative is strictly applied in public areas such as roads and streets, and does not extend to private residences.

“Pasabot g’yud ato nga ordinansa g’yud, kana g’yud ‘tong ga lakaw-lakaw ka sa public roads, main roads. Dili tingali direkta sa… common sense lang atong kuan ana,” he said.

He added that first-time offenders are not immediately penalized, as enforcement begins with warnings.

“Actually naay city ordinance na ang first offense nimo, warned ka pero ilista imong pangalan nga warning pa siya. Wala kay penalty pero nakalista imong ngalan didto nga warned naka.”

From April 7 to April 15, authorities conducted a total of 809 operations under the Safe Cities enforcement drive.

These operations resulted in 6,656 recorded cases, covering warnings, citations, and arrests involving various city ordinance violations.

Common violations included, public drinking, smoking in public areas, roaming shirtless in public, curfew violations involving minors, and traffic-related violations.

Authorities said 1,657 individuals were fined, while others were issued warnings under the first-offense policy.

If fully collected, total penalties could reach up to ?1.74 million.

Ylanan explained that local ordinances follow a progressive enforcement system, starting with warnings before penalties are imposed for repeat offenses.

He said individuals who receive warnings are officially recorded even if no penalty is imposed.

Minors apprehended for curfew violations are not fined but turned over to the Department of Social Welfare and Development and their respective barangays, where parents are summoned.

Ylanan said Mayor Nestor Archival earlier directed police to adopt a more humane approach in implementing ordinances, particularly in cases involving individuals found shirtless in public spaces.

“Kanang nakit-an ninyo diha nga gahukas, tagaig T-shirt,” he said.

Instead of immediate penalties, officers are instructed to provide assistance such as clothing and issue warnings.

Ylanan noted that enforcement varies across local government units since ordinances differ from one city to another.

According to an ABS-CBN News report, Lanquino, 53, was issued a citation while shirtless during cement work in Mandaluyong City. The incident sparked public discussion on the enforcement of local ordinances under the Safe Cities initiative.

The authority of local governments to implement such measures is anchored on the Local Government Code of 1991, which grants cities police power to maintain peace and order.

Defending the campaign, Ylanan said strict enforcement of minor violations is necessary to build discipline and prevent larger problems.

“Daghan niingon an nga ngano kunong kana gipangusgan. Of course we have to start, unsaon nimo pag-dakop sa dinagko, kung katong ginagmay imo man pasagdaan.”

He compared it to Cebu’s garbage problem, where small acts of littering eventually accumulate into bigger environmental issues.

“Kung ang disiplina magsugod sa ginagmay… mudako ang atong problema.”

Authorities said the Safe Cities initiative will continue focusing on warnings, documentation, and progressive penalties, emphasizing discipline and compliance rather than immediate arrests for first-time offenders.

The crackdown was also aligned with a directive from Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla to strictly enforce regulations on public drinking, public decency, and curfew violations involving minors. — (FREEMAN)