Manila is up in arms after it discovered that residents of neighboring cities had been dumping trash into its backyard prompting Mayor Lito Atienza to order the arrest of about 80 children and elderly citizens.
All 80, however, were later released without charges by Atienza after being presented to the press with a stern warning not to do it again. Some of the litterbugs nabbed from beyond the city‘s boundaries, though, had been reportedly under detention since Friday.
"This should serve as a stern warning to everyone, in Manila we catch those who dump garbage indiscriminately," said Atienza before ordering the group’s release.
Atienza boasted that to this day, garbage collection in Manila continues to be on a daily basis, unlike in other cities, which perhaps, was the reason residents outside Manila’s boundaries decided to cross over.
Among those arrested, 56 were males and 18 were females with six minors. The group’s ages ranged from 11 to 71. Illegal garbage dumping in Manila carries a penalty of a P200 fine and up to six months imprisonment.
Records did not show from which neighboring cities the litterbugs came from but the 80 women, men, and children reportedly came from all over. Manila is bounded by Caloocan City in the North, by Pasay City and Makati City in the South and by Mandaluyong, San Juan, and Quezon City on the East. The operation to arrest those illegally dumping garbage lasted three days starting Friday.
Earlier, Atienza appealed to residents not to dump their garbage on the streets with an assurance that garbage collectors would continue to come. — Jose Aravilla