Keep shirts on when in Navotas

After putting the law through a quiet trial period of some six months, the Navotas municipal government on Valentine’s Day, went for broke and arrested males roaming the streets half-naked (from the waist up).

The serious campaign against violators of Municipal Ordinance 2002-19 approved in August last year resulted in the apprehension of 22 shirtless men on the street last Friday night.

Navotas Mayor Tobby Tiangco instructed his men to strictly enforce the ordinance in order to present a good image of the local residents.

The ordinance prohibits any male person, 15 years old and up, to hang out half-naked in any public place or inside public utility vehicles.

First offenders will be put in the police blotter for the record and to be lectured on the content and the objectives of the ordinance," said Gaudencio Manlapaz, chief of Task Force Disiplina.

He pointed out that on the second offense, violators would be asked to render community service for a number of days depending on the evaluation of the court.

Violation of the ordinance for the third time can land a violator in jail or a fine of P300, or both, including community service.