Manila street dwellers yield knives, toy guns

MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) seized knives and toy guns from several street dwellers along Roxas Boulevard in Manila Monday night.

The street dwellers were among the 39 people, including minors, rounded up by the DSWD along the boulevard’s service road and near the Ospital ng Maynila.

Tension broke out between the DSWD personnel and street dwellers who resisted being taken into the agency’s custody.

An old woman sleeping in a makeshift tent even threatened to kill herself.

A man argued that they could not be considered street dwellers as they were just selling their wares on the sidewalk.

Those who yielded bladed weapons may face charges for violating the election gun ban, authorities said.

The DSWD said most of the “rescued” street dwellers were beneficiaries of the government’s housing programs. They reportedly returned to the streets because of delays in the release of government assistance.

The street dwellers were brought to the DSWD facility in Manila and Boystown complex in Marikina City.