Bulacan ‘tambay’ operations turned over to LGUs

CITY OF MALOLOS, Philippines — The Bulacan police is turning over the operations against tambays or idlers to the local government units in the province even as authorities warn barangay officials that they could face sanctions for not implementing local ordinances.

The Bulacan police said “Oplan RODY (Rid the Streets of Drunkards and Youths)” should now be led by local officials with policemen as backup.

Undersecretary for barangay affairs Martin Diño of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) had proposed that barangay officials should lead the campaign to rid the streets of troublemakers and criminals.

“We are now beginning to hand over our quality of life operations to local government and barangay officials who should take the lead in this campaign with the active support of the police,” Bulacan police information office said in a statement. 

It also said that most of the violators of ordinances were only accosted, fined and a few were arrested or detained in police stations.

“The two main objectives of this intensified campaign are to prevent crimes and improve the sense of safety and security of the people in our streets,” the police said.

The order was made after the Bulacan police rounded up 121 individuals in the province on Thursday night and early yesterday as part of Oplan RODY.

Senior Supt. Chito Bersaluna, acting Bulacan police director, told The STAR the apprehended individuals include 77 persons for curfew violations, 16 for drinking in public places and 28 for loitering in the streets.

Policemen turned over 28 vagrants to barangay officials, four others were released to their parents or guardians, 74 given warnings, 11 transferred to police stations for proper disposition and documentations while four minors were turned over to the municipal social welfare development office, Bersaluna added.

President Duterte had earlier ordered the police to clear the streets of tambays or vagrants.

Diño yesterday said the agency will start sanctioning barangay officials who are not active in the campaign against tambays.

“They could be suspended or removed from their posts for dereliction of duty,” he said.

Diño said barangay chairmen and councilors should address concerns on vagrants.

He cited a provision under the Local Government Code, which states that barangay officials are mandated to implement city and municipal ordinances.

“Lawlessness is everywhere, this problem requires extraordinary action,” said Josue Tubaña, father of the police chief of Mallig, Isabela, who was shot dead by one of two suspects the policeman accosted.            

Tubaña said his son, Sr. Insp. Michael Angelo Tubaña, was shot dead when he accosted two men as part of the campaign against tambays and lawless elements.

“My son was simply checking two men on their suspicious presence in his area when he was treacherously shot,” said the elder Tubaña.

Two suspects were later arrested in Tabuk City, Kalinga. One was identified as Warren Bulawit, a suspected drug dealer and carjacker, while his minor companion was not immediately identified. President Duterte visited the wake of the young Tubaña on Thursday evening at the Isabela Police Provincial Office in Ilagan City.

The cop was posthumously conferred the order of Lapu-Lapu with the rank of Kalasag. – With Emmanuel Tupas, Raymund Katindig?